Pictured: Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.), Finn, US Sailing Team Sperry
Finn (Men’s One-Person Heavyweight Dinghy)
Rio 2016 Olympic Athlete Selection Series, Current Standings:
Updates:
March 12:
Caleb Paine (San Diego) Wins Selection to Rio 2016 U.S. Olympic Sailing Team In Finn Dinghy
Pictured: Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) at the finish line of the final race of the 2016 Finn European Championship, where he earned U.S. Olympic Team selection.
Barcelona, Spain. – The Rio 2016 Selection Series in the Finn class (Men’s Heavyweight Dinghy) came to a memorable conclusion on Saturday at the Finn European Championship (March 7-12) in Barcelona, as Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) came from behind to win his first career U.S. Olympic Sailing Team berth. Beijing 2008 silver medalist Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) narrowly missed selection after coming out of retirement in late 2015, and mounting an impressive comeback campaign.
“It came down to the wire, and [tough] competition makes everything exciting,” said Paine after returning to shore. “This is huge,” continued the Sailing World Cup Series Champion, who has been the top-ranked American Finn sailor since 2012. “I don’t think a lot of people understand how years of sailing can end in six days. Fortunately, I get to continue on. It’s an emotional time, and it’s something seriously special.”
Paine entered the Finn Europeans, the second of two U.S. Olympic Team selection regattas, trailing Railey in the series by one point after the two finished 6th and 5th overall, respectively, at Sailing World Cup Miami in January. After a close battle in Barcelona, which saw the series lead pass back and forth between the two athletes multiple times, Paine found himself facing a final race in which he had to beat Railey by ten places or more in order to win selection. In an impressive performance, Paine rounded the first mark in 2nd in the 90-boat fleet, and eventually finished 7th. This was enough to secure Paine’s selection over Railey, a venerable two-time Olympian.
Pictured: Paine rounding the first mark of the final race in second place.
Paine said he had two options heading into the final race. “I basically had to force Zach to be [over the start line early], or beat him by ten points in the race. It was a bit challenging at the beginning, as we had some match racing happening on the line for positioning,” said the San Diego native. “I was able to get away from him enough to [sail] my own race, and hit the right side, which paid [off].”
See Also: Play-By-Play of the Final Race via @USSailingTeam on Twitter
Railey said his tactical decisions in the race were based off of his extensive pre-regatta training in Barcelona. “I played the percentages, but this is how it works sometimes,” said Railey. “It just didn’t go my way.”
Even though Paine secured an early lead, he was unable to relax, as the large, world-class fleet and lightening breeze presented an increasingly difficult defensive challenge for the leading pack of boats. “I knew the race was far from over, but fortunately [Railey] was stuck on the left side of the course. I just tried to keep boats between him and myself , and sail the best race I could.”
Pictured: Paine receives congratulations from US Sailing Team Senior Olympic Coach Luther Carpenter (La Porte, Texas).
Paine began his Finn dinghy career in the period preceding the London 2012 Olympic Games as Railey’s training partner, and the two athletes have challenged each other for much of the past six years. “One of the main reasons I’m as competitive as I am now is because of Zach’s talent and abilities. He pushed me to where I am,” said Paine. “He’s one of the fiercest competitors you’ll find on any racecourse, and I have a lot of respect for what he’s accomplished. My training with Zach started me on the right path, and I’m thankful for that. I’ll always be grateful for his early mentorship.”
See Also: Full U.S. Olympic Team Selection Tracker (All Classes)
Paine said that the pressure of the regatta had not prevented him from reflecting on his own journey so far. “Last night I was struggling to get some sleep,” said Paine. “I was thinking about all the things that have happened in the past, from situations on the race course, to all sorts of different things. I think that helped me today.”
As is the case with the seven other athletes already named to the Rio 2016 U.S. Olympic Sailing Team, the focus for Paine now returns to his original target, which is performing well in Rio.
“I want to win a gold medal,” said Paine. “Fortunately, this [selection series] has been challenging, and has opened my eyes to aspects that I need to improve on leading into the Games. Today is just a small piece of the bigger picture, which is to win gold.”
WATCH: Paine Reacts on Shore To Rio 2016 Selection
Final U.S. Standings, Finn Europeans:
- 26th overall, Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.). 138 net points.
- 30th overall, Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.). 166 net points.
More information can be found on the event website.
Previous Event Reports:
- Finn Europeans, U.S. Olympic Team Selection Event, Underway in Barcelona
- Finn Europeans: Tight U.S. Olympic Selection Series Enters Final Stages
- Finn Europeans: Close Battle on Penultimate Day, Rio 2016 Berth To Be Decided Saturday
Photos:
- US Sailing Team Sperry Gallery, Finn Europeans
Note: All athletes named to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to approval by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC). For more information on the 2016 Laser Radial European Championship, visit the event website.
February 2:
Finn Europeans (March 5-12) – Event Homepage & Results
January 30:
Sailing World Cup Miami Recap – The Finn class battle had been close all week, with the leaders often separated by less than a dozen points. For American sailors battling for Olympic selection, the stakes were high. Heading into the medal race, top-ranked Finn athlete Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) held a narrow lead over Beijing 2008 silver medalist Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.), but it was not to last. “I was in third place on the last downwind leg, but the other U.S. guy match raced me farther back [into the fleet],” said Paine. “He was [then] able to leave me when the opportunity was best, and put some boats in between us.” Despite the setback, Paine remains determined. “I’m right behind him. Basically we’re tied in terms of Olympic qualification. It’s ‘who beats who.’ We thought we might as well make it exciting for everyone.”
Video: Caleb Paine’s thoughts on the Medal Race in Miami
Railey used his extensive experience to improve his position right when it seemed Paine would solidify his lead. “On the last downwind, I had to try to slow myself and Caleb down as much as I could, and let everybody catch back up,” said Railey. “I was able to do that with some maneuvers near the leeward gate, and put two boats between us, which was very fortunate. To be basically even, which is what we’ll be going into the second [selection] event, I feel very confident.” The second and final selection event is the Finn European Championship, in Barcelona, Spain, from March 5-12.
Video: Zach Railey on getting back in the saddle in Miami
Sailing World Cup Miami was a U.S. Olympic Team selection event for the Finn class. The second and final event will be the Finn Europeans, Barcelona, Spain, March 5-12, 2016.
Pictured: Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.), Finn, US Sailing Team Sperry.
Names to Watch:
- Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif., pictured), US Sailing Team Sperry: Though still young compared to most of his top competitors, Paine has consistently proven himself to be among the top sailors in the world in the men’s heavyweight dinghy. Paine has won the ISAF World Cup Series (2012), and took bronze at the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Final. He also won gold at the 2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, and was 7th at the 2014 Finn Gold Cup (World Championship).
- Zach Railey (Clearwater, Fla.), US Sailing Team Sperry: Railey is a two-time U.S. Olympian, and a silver medalist from the Beijing 2008 Games. He has been largely inactive since London 2012, but started training intensively in late 2015. His first regatta after his hiatus was the 2015 Finn Gold Cup, where he finished 30th of 76.
- Luke Muller (Ft. Pierce, Fla.): Muller became the US Laser National Champion in history in 2013. After a successful campaign for the 2014 ISAF Youth Worlds in the Laser Radial, Muller decided to make the switch to the Finn class. He currently sails for Stanford University when not competing in the Finn.
Watch: Uncharted Waters
The Outsider: Caleb Paine – UNCHARTED WATERS
