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Light Wind Limitations at Hempel World Cup Series Miami; Offshore DH Event Begins in Ft. Lauderdale

2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy 23 January, 2020.

MIAMI, Fla. (January 23, 2020) – Through four days of action-packed racing on Biscayne Bay, the athletes competing at the 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami have experienced a vast array of conditions. Cold temperatures, wind chill, rain, strong breeze, and more typical South Florida conditions have challenged the 182 sailors from 45 nations.

The challenge has been real on the Bay and this has created exciting racing and a level of unpredictability adding more intrigue to this year’s annual Olympic class regatta in Miami.

Heading into Thursday’s racing the Finn, Laser, Laser Radial, and Men’s and Women’s 470 had completed six races, while the Men’s and Women’s RS:X finished nine.

However, the breeze failed to cooperate for most of Thursday, as rain showers sporadically dampened the sailing venue, and racing was limited after lengthy postponements.

The RS:X women and men managed just one race each. Japan’s Megumi Komine won her third race of the regatta in Race 10 and is now in second place behind fleet leader Demita Vega de Lille of Mexico by three points. Farrah Hall of the United States is in third place and five points back.

On the men’s side of the RS:X fleet, Pedro Pascual (USA) won his fourth race of the regatta to take a nine-point lead through 10 races. He leads Ignacio Berenguer of Mexico, who is in second place, and fellow American Geronimo Nores, who is in third. Nores was second to Pascual today and has placed either first (4) or second (2) in each of the last six races to make a charge up the leaderboard.

American Caleb Paine won his fourth race of the regatta in Race 7 of the Finn class. He was third in Race 8 and leads by 17 points over Luke Muller (USA). Oisin McClelland of Ireland is in third.

Hugh Macrae of Canada won the only Laser race of the day and has placed in the top two of the last couple races of the regatta. Argentina’s Francisco Guaragna Rigonat came in second and continues to lead the pack through seven races.

“We launched mid-morning and the race didn’t start until 3 o’clock, so there was a lot of waiting, trying and failing,” said Macrae. “We finally we got one off. There was hiking but again it changed midway to light wind, but I managed to get away with a win. I didn’t make the mistakes I’ve been making and it’s now showing.”

There was no racing today in the Laser Radial class, however, Aruba’s Philipine van Aanholt is excited to be back in Miami and sailing again in the Laser Radial after some time away. The two-time Olympian and several other sailors representing North American and Caribbean nations are also trying to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

“This week has been quite challenging. We’ve had lots of different conditions – mostly breezy. I’ve really enjoyed it,” said van Aanholt. “Yesterday was a bit too much. In the last race I was really tired, but it was fun and very shifty like Miami always is. The first couple of days I could really read the shifts well and yesterday in the last race I had some problems. Everybody is bringing it so it’s fun.”

“I came in really late for this campaign,” she added. “I sailed the Rio and London Games, but I haven’t been full-time sailing in a really long time. I do have a full-time job, which is why I came early to prepare. I have had to focus on myself but, of course you look at the competition and it’s tough. There are a lot of girls going for that one spot.”

As it stands, Elena Oetling is poised to take the single North American spot with van Aanholt 17 points off. However, with today’s Laser Radial racing postponed, three races will be sailed on Friday with plenty of possibilities.

The Men’s and Women’s 470 fleets attempted to sail but the fickle and shifting wind made things tricky for the Race Committee team so no racing was possible.

Heading into Friday’s action, Mat Belcher and Will Ryan (AUS) top the tree in the men’s division and France’s Camille Lecointre and Aloise Retornaz are in control in the women’s.

An additional race is scheduled for the 470s, Laser Radial and Laser on Friday, January 24 with an earlier start time of 10:30 am for the Radials and 10:40 am for the Lasers.

New Doublehanded Offshore Event Underway at Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race

Ken Read and Suzy Leech racing Alchemist, a Jeanneau 3300, at the start of Ft. Lauderdale-Key West Race. Photo by Sharon Green/ultimatesailing.com

While the 2020 Olympic class hopefuls competed around the buoys in Biscayne Bay, further offshore was a fast downwind start to the 45th edition of the Ft Lauderdale-Key West Race, hosted by Lauderdale Yacht Club and the Storm Trysail Club. Within the fleet of 28 entries in this 160-mile offshore race was a new mixed-gender Doublehanded class similar to the Mixed Two-Person Offshore Keelboat discipline that is coming to the 2024 Olympic Games.

“South Florida is a natural venue for the class, given the history of the Olympic Classes/World Cup Regatta on Biscayne Bay and the terrific sailing conditions in the winter,” said Race Chairman Chip Sabadash of Lauderdale Yacht Club.

In the ORC Doublehanded class Ken Read and Suzy Leech are racing Alchemist, a new Jeanneau 3300, and Mike Hennessy and Katie Pettibone are sailing Hennessy’s Class 40, Dragon. Both feature water ballast and sail control systems suited to Doublehanded racing, and with the new ORC Doublehanded certificate ratings they can have fair racing under handicap between themselves and the remainder of the ORC fleet as well, despite differences in boat size and type.

“We worked hard with US Sailing and ORC to get these boats rated in time for this race,” said Chris Woolsey of the Southern Ocean Racing Conference (SORC), where this is the third in a four-event offshore series. “We used a special scoring model that reflects the mostly downwind conditions the fleet will see today and tonight, and therefore fairly calculate an overall winner based on ORC ratings.”

With the 15-20 knot breeze trending from NE at the start and veering through E and SE into the evening and tomorrow, the fleet is expecting a fast reaching and running passage in its westward arc closely hugging the Florida keys, a track necessary to steer clear of the Gulf Stream flowing fast in the opposite direction.

Leading the ORC pack and speeding down the track are two full-crewed carbon speedsters, Jim Grundy’s Dunning 42, Baby B and Sledd Shelhorse’s brand new Carkeek 40 MkII Meridian XI, while not far astern is Hennessy and Pettibone on Dragon and another full-crewed Class 40, FK Day’s Longbow.

Coverage from Ft. Lauderdale to Key West Race – DH Offshore Event:

Quick Links to Hempel World Cup Series Miami Coverage:

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks and get involved in the conversation using #hwcsmiami

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/worldsailingofficial/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/worldsailingofficial/
Twitter – @worldsailing

PHOTOGRAPHY
High resolution imagery free for editorial usage will be provided throughout Hempel World Cup Series Enoshima.

Imagery is available to download here – https://worldsailing.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Hempel-WCS-Miami-2020/C00002NQZEeKz4_o

The password to download is: WSimages

PRESS RELEASES
All World Sailing international press releases throughout the duration of the Hempel World Cup Series, including the latest news and reports, are available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php

CONTACTS
Hempel World Cup Miami Press Officer
Jake Fish
E: JakeFish@usssailing.org

World Sailing Director of Communications and Digital
Daniel Smith
T: +44 (0)7771 542 131
E: Daniel.smith@sailing.org

VIDEO – American Finn Sailors Compete for Tokyo 2020 Spot in Miami

The stakes are high for competing sailors at the 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami with North American Olympic qualification spots up for grabs and US Sailing Team Tokyo 2020 Olympic trials ongoing.

In the Finn, Luke Muller and Caleb Paine, Rio 2016 bronze medallist, are in a duel at the front of the fleet in Miami in the second of their three selection events for the sole American spot.

The American Finn selection process brings together the 2019 Finn Gold Cup, the Hempel World Cup Series event in Miami and 2020 Finn Gold Cup.

At the Finn Gold Cup, Muller finished 17th to Paine’s 25th, giving himself an eight point advantage heading in to Miami. After three days of competition in Miami, Paine is a place ahead of Muller at the top of the leaderboard.

Find out what the sailors think about the selection process and what the stakes are below:

If the results stay the way they are in Miami, Muller will have a seven point lead going into the Finn Gold Cup in Palma de Mallorca, Spain this May.

Day #4 Morning Report: Start of Doublehanded Offshore Event, Weather and Conditions

Sailors should expect tricky conditions on Thursday, especially in the afternoon on Day #4 of 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami.

Patchy fog early and partly to mostly cloudy throughout the day including a slight chance of showers is forecasted. Warmer temperatures than Wednesday and Tuesday are expected with the high near 76 degrees.

Most of the day will be a ENE-E gradient wind. Wind speeds may increase with the ENE wind to 10-15 knots this morning. Afternoon breeze will average 7-12 knots and perhaps lower.

2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami is partnering with the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race this year. Thursday is the start of this new Doublehanded Offshore Event. Doublehanded offshore teams will start south of Port Everglades and the boats will race to Key West, with an expected course length of approximately 160 miles.

Tune in on the SORC Sailing Facebook page for live video from the signal boat. Spectators on shore can view of the start from the Dania Beach Fishing Pier. The finish is off of Mallory Square in Key West.

QUICK LINKS TO COVERAGE:

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks and get involved in the conversation using #hwcsmiami

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/worldsailingofficial/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/worldsailingofficial/
Twitter – @worldsailing

Sailors Rise to the Occasion in Unexpected Miami Conditions

2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy 21 January, 2020.

MIAMI, Fla. (January 22, 2020) – The 182 sailors embraced the challenge of the uncharacteristically cold and blustery conditions in Biscayne Bay on Day 3 of the 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami. The athletes were faced with similar conditions on Tuesday, but Wednesday’s overall shifty conditions and wind chill presented an even greater test of their physical and tactical skills.

Sailors raced under mostly sunny skies and wind speeds ranged from 16 to 18 knots on the low end and 23 to 24 on the high end this morning. The wind was not quite as strong in the afternoon and ranged from 13 to 16 knots on the low end and 16-18 on the high end. Similar to Tuesday, the conditions were shifty and puffy.

Heading into Wednesday’s racing the Finn, Laser, Laser Radial, and Men’s and Women’s 470 had completed four races over two days, while the Men’s and Women’s RS:X finished six. Wednesday morning’s conditions forced some short postponements for the Finn, Laser Radial, and Men’s 470 classes.

World Cup Miami is the final opportunity for North American nations to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games across the 470, RS:X, Laser, Laser Radial and Finn fleets.

Mexican representatives Juan Perez Soltero and Alejandro Perez Ontiveros are going up against Rockall Evans of Bermuda for the North American Tokyo 2020 spot in the Finn class.

Evans performed well in the breezy conditions today and placed fifth and third. He is in sixth place overall and leads Soltero by four points, who posted two seventh place finishes.

“Today was really windy, choppy, and cold. Nice conditions for the Finn class,” said Soltero. “Today was a rough day for me but a great day for sailing. I thought it was going to be a little bit windier today (than Tuesday) and it got super windy. It was super fun downwind and super physical upwind. I just tried to sail my own race, keep it simple, keep my boat fast the whole time and try to keep my boat upright and not capsize. Tomorrow is going to be light and I am very good in light winds so I’m excited for tomorrow.”

The American selection process also continues this week in the 14-boat Finn class. Caleb Paine is the overall fleet leader with seven points over six races. He was second twice today and leads American teammate Luke Muller by eight points. Muller was third and sixth today.

“It would mean the world to me to qualify to the Olympic Games,” said Muller. “It’s obviously been a long-term goal in my life. It will be the culmination of a lot of hard work. If I don’t qualify, it won’t be the end of the world as there’s a lot of sailing opportunities for me. Caleb certainly has a few more years’ experience in the Finn. He’s been to the Olympics and he’s been under a lot of high-pressure scenarios. He’s a great sailor and a formidable competitor. I look forward to racing him every day.”

From 27 January to 3 February 2019, Miami will host sailors for the second round of the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series in Coconut Grove. More than 650 sailors from 60 nations will race across the 10 Olympic Events. ©PEDRO MARTINEZ/SAILING ENERGY/WORLD SAILING
03 February, 2019.

Ireland’s Oisin McClelland is in third place and trails Muller by three points. McClelland won Race 6 and placed fourth in Race 5.

“I managed to come out with a fourth and a first. A few people tipped it in, but I managed to stay upright and took the win,” said McClelland.

As Miami is the final opportunity for North Americans to qualify for Tokyo 2020, the final European stop of the 2020 Hempel World Cup Series in Genoa is their last shot.

“The major goal for me is the Genoa World Cup and the European continental spot. The only one left for Europe. I’m 100 percent focused on that and this event is a good warm-up. There’s a couple of us here who are going for the spot – Ukraine and Russia. It’s a good early test to see how we’re going. “We had some goals in mind for what I wanted to get out of this regatta – technique wise – but if the week goes well then I’d be really be pleased with a podium.”

The race for Olympic qualification for the Men’s 470 in North America is between Canada and Mexico, who have three teams respectively.

Luke Ramsay and Hunter Lowden of Canada are one of the teams vying for position and they are currently ahead of their Olympic qualification competitors with two days of fleet racing remaining this week.

“We were seeing 22 to 26 knots and it was really steep with choppy waves, which made it really hard to keep the boat rumbling all the time,” said Ramsey. “All of the top guys in the top 20 are here so it’s a really good gauge to see where you’re at. We’ve been going well at times, but our losses seem to come in the really tricky spots.”

Ramsey and Lowden know what is at stake and have their eyes on teams from Mexico, especially. “When it’s windy you don’t really have a lot of influence on other boats. We’ve tried to sail our own track. When it gets a bit lighter that might change, and you’ve got to keep a closer eye on them and see where they’re going and what’s happening. Today was just trying to keep the boat fast, do the right thing and not focus on everybody else.”

Moving into first place in the Men’s 470 class today was the Mat Belcher and Will Ryan of Australia, who placed third in Race 6 and won Race 5. Dropping into second place was Anton Dahlberg and Fredrik Bergstrom of Sweden.

Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis of Greece are in third place and six points behind the leaders.

“It was very difficult to manage and stay in the same position,” said Mantis. “We had one good race and one bad. We’ve got two more days before the Medal Race. It was very cold in the morning and it’s a bit of a shock for us. Everyone was expecting something a little bit warmer. There have been some very good moments so far this week but there have been some bad. We’re happy with our performance.”

Women’s 470 Tokyo 2020 medal favorites Camille Lecointre and Aloise Retornaz (FRA) hold the initiative in their 16-boat fleet. A race win and a fifth from Wednesday’s action has given them a eight point advantage over Poland’s Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Jolanta Ogar. The day’s other race win went the way of Tina Mrak and Veronika Macarol of Slovenia who are third overall.

The USA will confirm a spot in the Women’s 470 fleet at Tokyo 2020 this week and the event acts as a team qualifier. Twin sisters Carmen and Emma Cowles hold an initiative with four fleet races remaining.

Olympic qualification is on the line for 23-boat Laser Radial fleet. Aruba’s Philipine van Aanholt, St. Lucia’s Stephanie Devaux-Lovell, Mexico’s Elena Oetling and Sofia Ximena Palacios, Puerto Rico’s Sylvette Perez Figueroa and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly-Ann Arrindell all have their sights set on Tokyo 2020.

Oetling has the edge over the other five competitors so far this week and is in sixth place overall. She was fourth and eighth today and has a 17-point lead over van Aanholt.

American Erika Reineke has a hold on first place by a five-point margin over Vasileia Karachaliou of Greece. Karachaliou made gains on Wednesday by winning both races, while Reineke placed second to Karachaliou twice.

Argentina’s Francisco Guaragna Rigonat continues to lead in the 40-boat Laser fleet after posting a third and a first. Peru’s Stefano Peschiera is six points off the Argentine having won the opening race of the day. Enrique Jose Arathoon (ESA) is in third.

Andrew Lewis of Trinidad and Tobago is in fourth, chasing the leading pack. He currently leads the way in the North American qualification battle but he has five Canadian sailors directly behind him chasing hard to overthrow him.

Pedro Pascual’s (USA) grip on top spot in the Men’s RS:X strengthened on Wednesday after he posted two thirds and a second. He is ten points clear of Mexico’s Ignacio Berenguer who is also in the driving seat to qualify his nation for Tokyo 2020. Geronimo Nores (USA) moved up the leaderboard after a pair of race wins and a second. He is third overall.

There is a tight tussle in the Women’s RS:X as just six points separate the top four. Demita Vega de Lille of Mexico holds the lead on 20 points and is trailed by Farrah Hall (USA) on 22, Megumi Komine (JPN) on 24 and Mariana Aguilar (MEX) on 26.

Aguilar took the first race win of the day before Komine hit back in the second. The third race win went to Canada’s Nikola Girke who is on course to qualify her nation for Tokyo 2020.

Racing resumes at 11:00 local time on Thursday, January 23.

Quick Links to Coverage:

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks and get involved in the conversation using #hwcsmiami

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/worldsailingofficial/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/worldsailingofficial/
Twitter – @worldsailing

PHOTOGRAPHY
High resolution imagery free for editorial usage will be provided throughout Hempel World Cup Series Enoshima.

Imagery is available to download here – https://worldsailing.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Hempel-WCS-Miami-2020/C00002NQZEeKz4_o

The password to download is: WSimages

PRESS RELEASES
All World Sailing international press releases throughout the duration of the Hempel World Cup Series, including the latest news and reports, are available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php

CONTACTS
Hempel World Cup Miami Press Officer
Jake Fish
E: JakeFish@usssailing.org

World Sailing Director of Communications and Digital
Daniel Smith
T: +44 (0)7771 542 131
E: Daniel.smith@sailing.org

Day #3 Morning Report: Sailors Embrace for Morning Cold

The Miami and South Florida region is experiencing near-record cold conditions on Wednesday morning, as temperatures dropped to the low 40s with wind chill throughout the area. The chilly temperatures of Tuesday will be surpassed by the conditions on Wednesday, as the sailors competing at the 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami embrace for the challenge on Biscayne Bay.

Sailors will race under mostly sunny skies and the high temperature this afternoon is expected to be 67 degrees. Waves will be 2-4 feet and the water temp will be in the low 70s. Wind speeds are expected to be 16-18 knots on the low end and 23-24 on the high end this morning.

The wind is expected to drop in the afternoon and expected to be 13-16 knots on the low end and 16-18 on the high end. Similar to Tuesday, the conditions are expected to be shifty and puffy.

See the schedule for Wednesday (pictured right) first warning signals for the seven fleets racing this week. Schedule is subject to change.

Quick Links to Coverage:

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks and get involved in the conversation using #hwcsmiami

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/worldsailingofficial/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/worldsailingofficial/
Twitter – @worldsailing

 

Sailors Challenged by Shifty Miami Breeze on Tuesday

2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy 21 January, 2020.

MIAMI, Fla. (January 21, 2020) – Sailors were greeted with cooler temperatures, sunny skies, and plenty of breeze on Day 2 of 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami, USA.

On Tuesday, the Men’s and Women’s 470, Laser, Laser Radial, and Finn fleets completed two races, while the Women’s and Men’s RS:X fleets finished three. Tuesday marked the second of five days of fleet racing leading up to Saturday’s all-important Medal Races. The Medal Races will be broadcast live on World Sailing’s YouTube Channel.

World Cup Miami, the second stop on the 2020 Series, is the final opportunity for North American nations to qualify for the 2020 Games in all seven classes at this regatta and the 182 sailors from 45 nations are also competing this week for advancement in the World Cup standings.

Tuesday’s weather was mostly sunny with temperatures in the 60’s. Wind speeds this morning were 12-16 knots, including gusts up to 20 knots. Conditions in the afternoon were more shifty and puffy with an increase in breeze.

The Laser is the largest fleet in Miami with 49 registered sailors. A single North American spot remains available to sailors and competitors from Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, US Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago will be on the start line.

Canada has 12 Laser representatives, while Mexico has four and Antigua two. One of the favorites to book his nation’s spot in Tokyo 2020 is Trinidad and Tobago’s Andrew Lewis. The two-time Olympian secured his first ever Hempel World Cup Series medal in Genoa, Italy last season in a tough fleet.

Lewis is in third place through four races after finishing third and fifth today. He leads all North American sailors in the regatta standings. Lewis enjoys the Miami conditions and is excited to be here at the venue.

“Blue skies make me smile all day,” said Lewis. “This is just an amazing place to sail. I’ve been coming here for about ten years and Miami has a special place in my heart. It’s the closest place we race to at the highest levels in the Caribbean in my opinion. Today was super challenging. The pressure was filling in around the racecourse. I’m happy with my results today and I’m happy with how the regatta is going.”

Lewis remains focused on his sailing despite what is at stake this week. “It’s too early to be keeping eyes on the other sailors. I’m consistently focused on staying as far in front of the fleet as possible.”

Only two spots behind Lewis in fifth place overall is Canada’s Robert Lewis, who posted a pair of fourth place finishes on Tuesday. Davis finished ahead of Lewis at the 2019 Pan Games.

“We had more offshore wind today, which made it more puffy, choppy and shifty,” said Lewis. “You had to keep your head out of the boat and look for the wind. Most of the wind was coming off the shore to the left side, and I wasn’t quite punchy on that but still managed to get a couple decent scores today.”

Davis remains focused on being consistent throughout the week. “I think consistency is going to win here in Miami because it’s a soft and tricky venue, but at the same time it’s a relatively small fleet. If you are not trying to go for some of those obvious puffs and shifts on days like today, somebody else is going to go for them and I need those points.”

Joaquin Blanco (ESP) posted two bullets on Monday and has a lead on the Laser fleet, despite a black flag penalty in Race 4 today. He was fifth in Race 3.

“I got a black flag penalty at the start of the second race, so I was disappointed, but this is the beginning and I’ll do my best in my next races,” said Blanco. “Monday was really good for me, but it’s a long week. Today, I couldn’t be as consistent, but I will try do better.”

Also, with seven points atop the leaderboard is Argentina’s Francisco Guaragna Rigonat.

The United States has a lead in the Laser Radial fleet, as Erika Reinke has performed well over the first two days in Miami. Reineke moved into first, overtaking Monday’s leader Viktorija Andrulyte of Lithuania, with a second place finish in Race 3 and she won Race 4. Andrulyte is three points back.

Caleb Paine of the United States continues his dominance in the 14-boat Finn event. He has won three of four races and placed second in Race 3 today. He has a four point lead over teammate Luke Muller, as the American selection process continues to make waves this week in Miami. Canada’s Kyle Martin is seven points back and in third place.

In the Women’s 470, Camille Lecointre and Aloise Retornaz of France have emerged as Tokyo 2020 medal favorites after they secured the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series title, gold at READY STEADY TOKYO and the 2019 European Championship. They have won three of the four races this week and lead the overall standings.

In second place is Poland’s Agnieszka Skrzypulec and Jolanta Ogar, who won Race 3. “We had a lot of fun on the water today,” said Skrzypulec. “We had a nice strong wind with a lot of shifts, so we had to be focused at all times. Yesterday, we struggled a bit in the second race, but today we started off with a fresh mindset and today was a new beginning with new wind conditions.”

2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy 21 January, 2020.

The only nation in the running for the North American Tokyo 2020 spot in the Women’s 470 is the United States. The event also acts as an American team qualifier for Tokyo 2020 with Nikole Barnes and Lara Dallman-Weiss, Carmen and Emma Cowles as well as Atlantic and Nora Brugman. The Cowles are currently the top American team in eighth place overall. They placed fifth and eighth today and lead the Brugmans by four points.

These young American tandems are gaining critical experience this week.

“The biggest step up for us has been the competition on the Women’s 470 circuit,” said Emma Cowles. “You have 50 percent of the fleet rounding really close together, so we were trying to get up to speed with them.”

“We’ve all learned a lot in these past few years,” added Emma. “We are all pretty new and we don’t have decades of experience in the boat like some of the athletes do. We are just thinking about what we can do one event at a time to keep improving.”

Over in the 30-boat Men’s 470 fleet, Anton Dahlberg and Fredrik Bergström of Sweden maintain their lead from Monday. They have a three-point edge over Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagiali of Greece. Stuart McNay and David Hughes are the top North American team in ninth overall.

In the Men’s RS:X, two nations are aiming to qualify for Tokyo 2020 – Dominican Republic and Mexico. The odds are stacked in Mexico’s favor, with five-time Olympian David Mier Y Teran and Ignacio Berenguer leading the charge. The Dominican Republic’s Samuel Perez Hults is also contending this week. In total, eight sailors are racing in the Men’s RS:X fleet and the event is also acting as an American qualifier for Tokyo 2020.

Pedro Pascual of the United States continues his lead over the fleet from Monday with seven points following three more races. He won the first race of the day and has collected three wins so far this week. Following in close pursuit of the lead is Berenguer and Teran, who are placing second and third respectively.

“Today was completely different than Monday,” said Teran. “This morning it looked windy, but it was really light and then it kept building. I got lost in the first race because of the conditions, but by the second race I got a little better and continued to get better in the third race. I think I sail better in extreme conditions.”

Nikola Girke (CAN) has made her competitive RS:X return in the 10-boat Women’s fleet. The Canadian represented her nation in the 470 at Athens 2004, the RS:X at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 and the Nacra 17 at Rio 2016. Canada is the only North American nation in the fleet who has not yet qualified. Girke will confirm the spot by completing the event. She is currently in sixth place.

“It’s my first time back on the RS:X after a couple years, so I’m trying to get my racing legs back,” said Girke. “Having this regatta under my belt before World Championships is really important and I want to qualify my country for the Olympics. The real reason why I came back is to have fun.”

Mexico’s Demita Vega de Lille and Mariana Aguilar have 11 points each and they lead the Women’s RS:X fleet through six races. In third place is Farrah Hall, who won the final race of the day.

“I’m mostly working on a little bit of technique and a lot of psychology,” said Hall. “Sailing is a very complex sport, so for me, I’m pretty regimented in my daily routines. For now, I’m focusing on keeping all of that straight, but being flexible at the same time.”

Racing resumes on Wednesday morning, January 22 on Biscayne Bay.

Quick Links to Coverage:

SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow the event on World Sailing’s social networks and get involved in the conversation using #hwcsmiami

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/worldsailingofficial/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/worldsailingofficial/
Twitter – @worldsailing

PHOTOGRAPHY
High resolution imagery free for editorial usage will be provided throughout Hempel World Cup Series Enoshima.

Imagery is available to download here – https://worldsailing.photoshelter.com/gallery-collection/Hempel-WCS-Miami-2020/C00002NQZEeKz4_o

The password to download is: WSimages

PRESS RELEASES
All World Sailing international press releases throughout the duration of the Hempel World Cup Series, including the latest news and reports, are available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php

CONTACTS
Hempel World Cup Miami Press Officer
Jake Fish
E: JakeFish@usssailing.org

World Sailing Director of Communications and Digital
Daniel Smith
T: +44 (0)7771 542 131
E: Daniel.smith@sailing.org

Day #2 Morning Report: Cooler Temps, Strong Breeze Expected

The 182 sailors from 45 countries got off to a great start on Monday at 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami, USA. The Men’s and Women’s 470, Laser, Laser Radial, and Finn fleets completed two races, while the Women’s and Men’s RS:X fleets finished three races.

Day #1 Report

The second of five days of fleet racing begins this morning on Biscayne Bay. The top sailors from each fleet with compete in Medal Races this Saturday, January 25.

Tuesday’s weather is mostly sunny and a high temperature of 70 degrees. There is a cold Northwest gradient wind, which will bring 12-16 knots to the Bay this morning, including gusts to 20 knots. Conditions in the afternoon will be much more shifty and puffy.

Bottom wind speeds: 10-12 knots
Top wind speeds: 18-20 knots

Follow the Racing

Nations Clash Over Olympic Qualifying Spots

2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy 21 January, 2020.

On Monday, the 182 sailors from 45 nations demonstrated their skills on spectacular Biscayne Bay in the first of six days of racing at 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami, USA. Hempel World Cup Miami marks the second instalment of the 2020 Series and the only stop in North America.

The competition this week consists of fleet racing for all seven classes on Monday through Friday and Medal Races on Saturday, January 25 featuring the week’s top teams. Medal Races will be broadcast live on World Sailing’s YouTube Channel.

As the racing heats up in Miami this week, the sailors here also have their sights set on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing Competition, only six months away. World Cup Miami is the final opportunity for North American nations to qualify for the 2020 Games across the 470, RS:X, Laser, Laser Radial and Finn fleets.

Principal Race Officer (PRO) Maria Torrijo of Spain had this to say about the forecasted racing conditions this week. “I think the conditions here on the Bay this week will be perfect. We should have 10 to 15 knots every day, and we believe it will be quite windy later in the week. The classes we have here are good enough to race in 25 knots. We are quite confident we will get in all our races this week.”

Olympic qualification is paramount for 23-boat Laser Radial fleet. Aruba’s Philipine van Aanholt, St. Lucia’s Stephanie Devaux-Lovell, Mexico’s Elena Oetling and Sofia Ximena Palacios, Puerto Rico’s Sylvette Perez Figueroa and Trinidad and Tobago’s Kelly-Ann Arrindell are all aiming for Tokyo 2020.

Oetling got off to a strong start by finishing third in Race 1 and 12th in Race 2 and she is in fifth place overall. Devaux-Lovell is in seventh place after posting a 6-15 scoring line on Monday.

“It’s such a small fleet, you can really see who is out there and I may have struggled with that today,” said Devaux-Lovell. “I’m going to take that forward and tomorrow I’m going to just sail my own race. Usually I’m strong in these conditions. It was quite shifty with pressure differences. Sometimes you have to get your head out of the boat and see what’s going on and sail to the breeze.”

Leading the Laser Radial fleet is Viktorija Andrulyte of Lithuania, who placed first and second today. The top American is Erika Reineke who is in fourth place (4-3).

Over in the Laser, two bullets for Joaquin Blanco (ESP) puts him top, with Andrew Lewis (TTO) and Stefano Peschiera (PER) close behind.

Bermuda’s Rockal Evans is going up against Mexican representatives Juan Perez Soltero and Alejandro Perez Ontiveros for the North American Tokyo 2020 Finn spot.

“Today was a tricky day on the racecourse,” said Evans. “We got a clear start in the first race, got a good lane, and just played the shifts upwind and downwind, so I’m happy with my results. The breeze picked up a bit in the second race and they put up the free pumping flag. We had another good start and two good downwinds for another good result.”

Along with racecourse and shifting conditions, Evans is also tracking his primary competition this week.

“It’s a lot about the racecourse, but also the other countries, like Mexico, who are also going for the North American spot, so it’s a lot about keeping my eyes on them, plus playing the racecourse and getting boats in between us. It’s a lot of work.”

The American selection process also continues this week in the Finn. After one event, Luke Muller (Fort Pierce, Fla.) has an eight-point advantage over Rio 2016 bronze medallist Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.). Muller earned the bronze medal last year in Miami.

Following wins in both Race 1 and Race 2, Paine takes an early lead in the Finn. Two Americans are in the top four, as Muller is in fourth place (5-3).

“I’m just focused on my own sailing this week,” said Paine. “I’m working on fleet management and trying to minimize splitting away. We are also emphasizing downwinds, but it was a bit of a struggle today trying to get the right feel for the downwinds. But all-around it’s been much better, just a few minor mistakes that can be easily corrected.”

The race for Olympic qualification for the 470 Men in North America is between Canada and Mexico, who have three teams respectively. Leading the way between these two countries are Hector & Jeronimo Guzman of Mexico who stand in 20th place overall after two races (14-25).

“We are trying our best not to be too aggressive this week,” said Jeronimo Guzman. “We want to sail as smart as possible and be faster than the other countries we are competing against for the Olympic spot. We need to focus on having good races so we can be at our best.”

Fronting the 30-boat Men’s 470 fleet overall is Anton Dahlberg & Fredrick Bergström of Sweden (3-2). The top American team is Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I.) & David Hughes (Miami, Fla.) in fourth place (1-11).

French duo Camille Lecointre and Aloise Retornaz already have a good advantage in the 470 Women, with two race wins putting them ahead of nearest competitors Elena Berta & Bianca Caruso (ITA) and Frederike Loewe & Anna Markford (GER).

In the RS:X Men’s fleet, two wins out of three for Pedro Pascual (USA) sets him ahead of David Mier Y Teran (MEX) and Ignacio Berenguer (MEX).

Mexico are also performing well in the RS:X Women’s fleet, with Mariana Aguilar and Demita Vega de Lille first and third respectively. Megumi Komine (JPN) is second.

Racing resumes on Tuesday 21st January at 11:00am (UTC-5) on Biscayne Bay.

For a complete review of Monday’s race results and standings, please click here.

CONTACTS
Hempel World Cup Miami Press Officer
Jake Fish
E: JakeFish@USSAILING.ORG

World Sailing Director of Communications and Digital
Daniel Smith
T: +44 (0)7771 542 131
E: Daniel.smith@sailing.org

 

Day #1 Morning Report: Weather and Conditions – How to Follow the Hempel World Cup Series Miami

The 182 sailors from 45 countries will begin their first of five days of fleet racing on Monday, January 20 at the 2020 Hempel World Cup Series Miami, USA. Sailors will be competing for positions in the Medal Races this Saturday, January 25.

The weather for Monday features mostly cloudy skies with a chance of showers. A cold front has moved through and cooler air will filter down from the North. A light Northwest breeze this morning will turn North later in the morning. The wind speed this morning will be in the 5-10 knot range, increasing this afternoon to 10-14  knots. The high temp for Monday is 74 degrees.

Start times are posted. Updates were made to start times on Sunday night to the Men’s Laser, Women’s 470, Men’s RS:X, and Women’s RS:X.

Morning Quote: Meredith Brody, Event Co-Chair

“It is wonderful to bring the world’s stage to the waters of Biscayne Bay. This year we will have 50 nations racing, many of which are vying for spots to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Miami has been supporting this event for over three decades and has provided a consistent spot on the international racing calendar bringing the best of the best to the U.S.”

Click here to Follow the Racing.

Hempel World Cup Series Miami Participants Team up to Rescue a Coral Reef

Ahead of the Hempel World Cup Series event in Miami, USA, sailors and officials teamed up on Friday 17 January to rescue a coral reef.

The expedition, led by World Sailing and the University of Miami, and supported by Hempel, World Sailing’s Official Coatings Partner, and World Sailing’s Beyond Sport Climate Action Award, saw six international sailors alongside further officials become citizen scientists.

Throughout the four-hour expedition, the sailors were able to learn about the stresses on coral reefs such as climate change and pollution before planting over 150 staghorn corals that had been nursery-reared by the University.

Laser Radial sailors Estere Kumpina (LAT), Valeria Lomatchenko (RUS) and Philipine van Aanholt (ARU), Finn sailors Kyle Martin (CAN) and Alexey Selivanov (RUS) and Laser sailor Tijn van der Gulik (ARU) all participated. US Sailing also supported through the participation of their Olympic Director, Meredith Brody.

The expedition supported World Sailing’s Sustainability Agenda 2030, sailing’s bold contribution to global sustainability, with a view to providing education to international sailors as well as making a contribution to enhance the local environment through hosting a World Sailing event.

Dan Reading, Head of Sustainability at World Sailing, commented, “Today was a great opportunity for the sailors and officials to learn about the local marine environment, as well as carry out some hands-on citizen science whilst contributing to the health of the marine ecosystem.

“The regatta has partnered with the University of Miami for several years and we were excited to offer this expedition to sailors which proved to be very popular.”

Dalton Hesley, Program Manager at Rescue a Reef, said, “Today was really successful. In total we were able to outplant over 150 corals which was amazing.

“Rescue a Reef is an extension of our coral research lab at the University of Miami, with a focus on citizen science. We want to better connect with the general public and actually have them play a role in our research and restoration.

“It was great to have sailors on board. They understood how to work as a team and learned very quickly. We accomplished everything we wanted to and then some! It was a pleasure to work with everybody today.”

The sustainability focus in Miami did not end there. On Saturday 18 January, a mangrove clean was held for sailors and the local community.

Seventy youth sailors from a number of local sailing clubs joined Olympic sailors and hopefuls all working together to pick up plastic in the area. Working with local organisation ‘Send it for The Sea’ (who weighed the plastic) they were able to collect 295kg (650lbs).

This further demonstrates World Sailing’s commitment to working with local organising committees to benefit the local environment.

Click here to find out more about Rescue a Reef

Click here to find out how to follow this year’s Hempel World Cup Series Miami

By Daniel Smith – World Sailing

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