There could be a wait onshore for the 400 competitors from 44 nations at Regatta Park, Coconut Grove as light winds are forecast for day two of the 2017 World Cup in Biscayne Bay, Miami on Wednesday 25 January.
Just two knots welcome the sailors to a warm Regatta Park which is forecasted to build very slowly to around 6-8 knots in the afternoon. When the wind does kick in it will be from the south, south-east.
PRESS RELEASES
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of World Cup Miami. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php
WORLD CUP SERIES
World Sailing’s World Cup Series is an annual series of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors. Over 2,000 of the world’s leading sailors, representing over 75 nations have competed in the World Cup Series which offers a definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in the Olympic sailing world.
The 49er class has never been a bastion of consistency. The overpowered skiff is challenging to sail, and because it accelerates so quickly in the smallest increase in wind speed, lead changes are frequent. When you toss in a shifty and puffy westerly breeze that was forced to weave through the Coconut Grove skyline before reaching the racecourse, it’s no surprise that the opening day of the 2017 World Cup Series Miami presented by Sunbrella was one of ups and downs throughout the 26-boat fleet.
The French duo of Lucas Rual and Emile Amoros started the day with a pair of seconds before slipping to 16th in the third race. With every team discarding its worst finish, Rual and Amoros have a one-point advantage in the overall standings over Dylan Fletcher-Scott and Stuart Bithell (GBR) and two points over Fred Strammer and Trevor Burd (USA) and the Lange brothers, Yago and Klaus (ARG).
With limited experience in the class, the French pair were a little surprised by their first day success.
“We sailed the 29er before for one year in 2013, and we started sailing 49er together in September [2016],” said Amoros. “That’s why we are surprised. We work really hard and we’re happy to be here. But it wasn’t our goal [to be in the lead at the end of day one]. If we stay here it will be nice.”
Rual added that the primary goal for the regatta was to build confidence and determine, roughly, where they stand in the international fleet.
@Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy / World Sailing
Another team looking to get a feel for each other was the American duo of Fred Strammer and Trevor Burd. Strammer and Burd have plenty of experience in the 49er, but with other crewmates. They have only sailed as a pair for 10 days.
“Fred and I got together this fall,” says Burd. “We both had different partnerships going into the U.S. Olympic trials last year. We just found we were the best available and the US Sailing Team gave us some support and said they wanted to see it happen, so we just went for it.”
Strammer and Burd started the day with a 14th, but then added a fifth and a first to the scoreline. It’s very early in what may be a gruelling four-year effort to reach the podium at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, but those early returns are promising.
That is not the case for sailing legend and five-time Olympic medallist Robert Scheidt (BRA) who has switched over to the skiff after a 20-year career of sailing—and winning—Olympic-class regattas in the Laser and Star. His first day of competition in the 49er class, with crew Gabriel Borges, produced a forgettable scoreline of 19-23-18, which leaves the pair in 22nd place. However, no one is expecting the Brazilian team to stay there for long. Last year around this time, people were wondering if the 40-something Scheidt could hang with sailors half his age in the physical Laser class. Then he won the regatta and went on to finish fourth in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Thomas Goyard (FRA) and Kiran Badloe (NED) are tied for first in the Men’s RS:X class with three points. Goyard will wear the leaders jersey tomorrow by virtue of his win in the third race.
There’s also a tie at the top of the Women’s RS:X with Hei Man H V Chan (HKG) and Emma Wilson (GBR) both on four points. China’s Yunxui Lu is third, with seven points.
Karl-Martin Rammo (EST) had a strong start to his Laser regatta. A first and a fourth leaves him five points clear of Nick Thompson (GBR) with Tomas Pellejero (ARG) in third with 16 points.
Evi Van Acker (BEL) is a familiar name to anyone who’s followed the Radial class. The 2012 bronze medallist is currently second, three points back of Vasileia Karachaliou (GRE) who has six points. France’s Mathilde de Kerangat is third with 10 points.
Alican Kaynar (TUR) put together a first and a second to open his regatta in the Finn class and leads by two points over the regatta’s defending champion, Brazil’s Jorge Zarif. Great Britain’s Ben Cornish is third, also with five points.
The gold medallists from Rio 2016, Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA) picked up right where they left off and are winning the 49erFX class courtesy of a tie break with two other teams. Fellow South Americans Victoria Travascio and Maria Branz (ARG) are second while the Canadian duo of Erin Rafuse and Dannie Boyd are third.
Kazuto Doi and Naoya Kimura (JPN) had a first and a fourth and have opened up a three point lead in the Men’s 470 class over Giacomo Ferrari and Guilio Calabrò (ITA). Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis (GRE) are third.
Afrodite Zegers and Anneloes Van Veen (NED) have the early lead in the Women’s 470 class with four points in two races. Sophie Weguelin and Eilidh McIntyre (GBR) are second with six points while Silvia Mas Depares and Paula Barcelo Martin (ESP) are third with seven points.
The Nacra 17 class got in three races today. Lorenzo Bressani and Caterina Marianna Banti (ITA) have the lead after winning two races and discarding a second. Tom Phipps and Nicola Boniface (GBR) are second with four points and John Gimson and Anna Burnet (GBR) are third courtesy of a tie-break with Lin Ea Cenholt and Christian Peter Lübeck (DEN). Both teams have seven points.
Racing will continue from Regatta Park, Coconut Grove on Wednesday 25 January at 11:00 am local time beginning with the Nacra 17 and 49erFX.
PRESS RELEASES
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of World Cup Miami. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php
WORLD SERIES CUP
The World Series Cup is a World-class, annual series of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors. Over 2,000 of the World’s leading sailors, representing over 75 nations have competed in the Sailing World Cup which offers a definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in the Olympic sailing world.
The 2017 World Cup Series kicks off on the morning of Tuesday 24 January with more than 400 competitors from 44 nations preparing to race across the ten Olympic fleets in Biscayne Bay, Miami.
Sailors have been preparing their boats in Regatta Park, Coconut Grove ahead of the first step on the World Cup Series and the start of the Tokyo 2020 quadrennial. They will be greeted with a north westerly breeze on the opening day of racing coming in around 10-12 knots and gusting up to 16.
PRESS RELEASES
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of World Cup Miami. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php
WORLD SERIES CUP
The World Series Cup is a World-class, annual series of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors. Over 2,000 of the World’s leading sailors, representing over 75 nations have competed in the Sailing World Cup which offers a definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in the Olympic sailing world.
The first stage of the 2017 World Cup Series sees over 400 sailors from 44 nations competing out of Regatta Park in Coconut Grove, Miami, USA from 24-29 January with some exciting developments to further the experiences of not only the athletes, but for visiting spectators.
Throughout the history of the World Cup Series Miami the athletes have been spread across venues in Coconut Grove, but at the 2017 edition, event organisers have worked with the local government to bring together the classes, as Meredith Brody, US Sailing’s Olympic Manager and Co-Chair for World Cup Series Miami, explains, “US Sailing has been working with the City of Miami for years to bring Olympic sailing to Regatta Park.
“There are a lot of steps that are still to be achieved, but this year is a big stride forward as it’s the first time that we have had eight out of the 10 classes gathered together in Regatta Park and launching from the Seminole Boat Ramp.”
At the forefront of the event are the athletes and bringing them together creates a greater sporting environment and experience for the visiting sailors, but US Sailing have also recognised the need to include the local and international spectators to the mix, “The most exciting part for me is bringing racing to the shores of Biscayne Bay and Miami,” said an enthusiastic Brody, “We have a big screen for Friday, Saturday and Sunday with live commentary so people can watch from the park. We will also have food trucks, ceremonies and interviews with the athletes. It’s a real family affair here where people can come and enjoy the park and the racing.”
Drawing onshore spectators into the excitement of an event that takes place in the middle of Biscayne Bay poses a challenge, but one that has been met head on as Brody explains, “The nature of our sport is to be on water and that makes it a challenge for spectators to see, and more importantly, experience sailing.
“Technology these days allows us get different camera angles and to see the action from inside the boats from the athletes’ perspective. We can now take this technology and bring it to the shores and give the people here in Regatta Park that experience with some commentary to better explain what’s happening and to involve people more.”
Following on from the release of World Sailing’s sustainability strategy in November 2016, US Sailing have partnered with Sailors for the Sea and UHealth (the University of Miami’s Health System) to provide reusable water bottles for the athletes, volunteers and officials. To go hand in hand there has been water refill stations installed around Regatta Park. These initiatives also have the added value of keeping the park clean throughout the event and preserving it as a city attraction.
The World Cup Series Miami has changed dramatically over its 28-year history. The current edition, one of the world’s foremost regattas for Olympic-class sailors, requires a tremendous effort from the regatta staff, an army of volunteers and a handful of essential local partners, “We have a great team on and off the water and the athletes seem excited to be here and all together,” says Brody. “We are so grateful for the help of everyone to make this event what it is. It simply couldn’t happen without the City of Miami, Miami Parks and the Miami Parking Authority behind us.”
Racing will begin on Tuesday 24 January at 11:00 a.m. local time from Regatta Park, Coconut Grove for all fleets.
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of World Cup Miami. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php
TELEVISION
Racing and action shots plus interviews in English and native language will be available daily on the FTP server from Tuesday 24th January-Sunday 29th January.
For further information please contact:
Medal Races on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January will be streamed live on World Sailing’s Facebook and YouTube Channel. URLs and embed codes are available below:
The World Cup Series is a World-class, annual series of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors. Over 2,000 of the World’s leading sailors, representing over 75 nations have competed in the Sailing World Cup which offers a definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in the Olympic sailing world.
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (January 23, 2017) – For the third consecutive year, Sunbrella® fabrics, the leading producer of performance and marine canvas around the globe, will serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2017 Sailing World Cup Miami, North America’s premier Olympic class regatta. A North Carolina-based brand with deep roots in the American sailing community, Sunbrella has assumed a prominent role in fostering the future of high-performance sailing the United States.
“Sunbrella is an outstanding partner for US Sailing and Sailing World Cup Miami,” said Jack Gierhart, executive director of US Sailing. “They know what it takes to be the best and to set and achieve ambitious goals. They have brought that energy to our partnership. We are grateful for their commitment to the athletes and their quest to be the best in the world.”
The first stop of World Sailing’s 2017 World Cup Series will see over 450 competitors race across the ten Olympic classes from Regatta Park at Coconut Grove, Miami from 24 29 January. Image free of editorial rights @Jesus Renedo / Sailing Energy / World Sailing
Sunbrella is also the presenting sponsors of US Sailing’s Golden Torch Award, awarded to the top placing U.S. sailor at Sailing World Cup Miami.
“We are proud to support US Sailing and the tremendous athletes who commit so completely to their passion for being on the water and for making competitive sailing such a unique and special sport,” said Hal Hunnicutt, vice president of marketing for Glen Raven, Inc.
Founded in 1961, Sunbrella began offering marine upholstery products in the mid 1970’s. By producing innovative canvas and fabrics that were exceptionally weather-resistant and easy to maintain, Sunbrella quickly became a dominant player in the marine industry. Sunbrella’s core brand identity celebrates the best of what America has to offer.
Sailing World Cup Miami is the the first stop on World Sailing’s 2017 World Cup Series and will feature over 450 competitors racing across the ten Olympic classes from Regatta Park at Coconut Grove, Miami on January 24-29.
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Sunbrella Fabrics
For nearly 50 years, Sunbrella® fabrics have set the standard for the performance of marine canvas all around the globe, offering durability, fade resistance and easy care. First introduced in 1961 as an awning fabric, the Sunbrella brand revolutionized the way the world thinks about how beautiful fabrics look, feel and perform. The Sunbrella brand is the leading premium fabric choice today not only for marine, but also for awning and upholstery, including boat interiors. Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, a 134-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide. For more information on the Sunbrella brand, including fabric resources, visit www.sunbrella.com.
World Sailing’s 2017 World Cup Series in Miami, USA will see a ‘legend’ of the sport take on a new challenge as one of the most successful Olympic sailors exchanges the One Person Dinghy for the Men’s Skiff.
Among the 453 sailors racing out of Regatta Park at Coconut Grove, Miami from 22-29 January, Brazil’s Robert Scheidt is teaming up with Gabriel Borges in an attempt to master the 49er like he has the Star and Laser.
43-year-old Scheidt is no stranger to sailing in Two Person fleets taking an Olympic silver and bronze medal in the Star, but the High Performance Skiff will present the champion with a different challenge.
The switch from the Laser class, where he has two Olympic gold medals to his name, prompted London 2012 Laser silver medallist Pavlos Kontides (CYP) and former rival to say, “Robert is a sailing legend. To have the strength, will, patience, passion and motivation to continue professional Olympic sailing at this age is really admirable. 49er is completely different from Laser so he will need time to adapt but I am sure he will find his way up the ranks.”
Argentina’s Iago Lange, who will be sailing with his brother Klaus, can see only benefits from Scheidt’s decision, “I think it is great for not only the class but for the sport as a whole. If a hero like Robert is showing that he will keep pushing it is a great message for the world of sailing and for the kids who aspire to be in the sport.”
Reflecting on the decision, Lange gave his thoughts on a personal level saying, “He is one of my sailing heroes so it will be super nice to have the opportunity to sail against him.”
Other sailors who will also have the opportunity to sail against the Brazilian will be Spain’s Diego Botin and Iago Lopez Marra who hold the 2016 Miami 49er title and Austria’s Benjamin Bildstein and David Hussl who took the 2016 Sailing World Cup Final gold in Melbourne.
Winning the inaugural Sailing World Cup Miami 49erFX title in 2013, Brazil’s Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze will be aiming to recapture the title in their first major regatta since taking the Rio 2016 gold medal.
Other Olympians in the fleet are Finland’s Noora Ruskola who is now teaming up with Mikaela Wulff and Nacra17 bronze medallist crew, Tanja Frank (AUT) who also has a new team mate in Lorena Abicht.
Norway’s Helene Naess and Marie Rønningen took silver at the 2016 Sailing World Cup Final and will battle it out with the Agerup sisters, Ragna and Maia, who represented the country at the Olympic Games for national bragging rights.
As one legend of the sport moves in to the skiff, there are some who are also chasing other challenges and moving from the 49er to the Nacra17.
Austria’s Nico Delle-Karth is teaming up with fellow skiff sailor Laura Schöfegger in the multihull and they will be joined by Denmark’s Christian Peter Lübeck who will sail with helm Lin Ea Cenholt.
Lübeck finished fourth at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the 49er but sailed the Nacra17 throughout 2015. Delle-Karth on the other hand has only sailed the skiff at major regattas. Miami will pose a challenge for both with seasoned campaigners like Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin (AUS) and Ben Saxton and Nicola Groves (GBR) on the start line.
Arguably the biggest name on the start list for the Men’s RS:X is double Olympic champion Dorian van Rysselberghe (NED). Not only is the Dutch windsurfer the Rio 2016 gold medallist, he isn’t a stranger to stepping on the Miami podium either with five wins since 2009, including the past two years.
Another Rio 2016 medallist racing will be France’s Pierre Le Coq who has an Olympic bronze medal to his name from the summer showpiece. The only sailor missing from that podium is Great Britain’s Nick Dempsey who has compatriot Tom Squires now looking to carry the British windsurfing baton.
The Olympic champion in the Women’s RS:X comes in the form of Spain’s Marina Alabau Neira who took gold at London 2012. Some other champions in the field are Emma Wilson (GBR) who won the 2016 Aon Youth Worlds in New Zealand, Auckland last month and two-time Youth Worlds champion and Rio 2016 bronze medallist Stefania Elfutina (RUS).
Competitors in the 49er, 49er FX, RS:X, and Nacra17 will have five days of fleet racing from Tuesday 24 January to Friday 27 January with LIVE medal races on Saturday 28 January.
PRESS RELEASES
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of World Cup Miami. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php
TELEVISION
Medal Races on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January will be streamed live on World Sailing’s Facebook and YouTube Channel. URLs and embed codes are available below:
SAILING WORLD CUP
The Sailing World Cup is a World-class, annual series of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors. Over 2,000 of the World’s leading sailors, representing over 75 nations have competed in the Sailing World Cup which offers a definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in the Olympic sailing world.
On the first stop of World Sailing’s 2017 World Cup Series in Miami, USA, a home nation favourite will make a return in an attempt to add to her already jam packed trophy cabinet.
Two time Rolex World Sailor of the Year and Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medallist Anna Tunnicliffe will join 452 sailors in Regatta Park at Coconut Grove, Miami from 22-29 January to take on the Laser Radial fleet with the experience of not only sailing, but of another determination and endurance filled sport behind her.
Tunnicliffe has been at the top end of her profession when it comes to sailing with a string of podium finishes at high profile events which culminated in her winning a gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the Laser Radial. A move into Match Racing for the London 2012 quadrennial resulted in further success including a World Championships gold but she fell short at the Games itself. Between 2008 and 2011 Tunnicliffe also kept the US Sailing Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year to herself with four consecutive awards.
This winning pedigree also fuelled her assault on the high intensity CrossFit world. Using the fitness regime to keep her in peak physical condition ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Tunnicliffe didn’t just take part, she excelled. In 2013 the American produced her best result of ninth place in the CrossFit Games, the pinnacle event for the sport featuring the best athletes from thousands of aspirant applicants.
The last time Tunnicliffe competed at World Cup Miami was in 2013 when she took on the 49erFX finishing second. Despite her history and obvious will to win, Tunnicliffe will have a tougher time to get among the medals this time around as she makes a comeback in a fleet that boasts 2016 Laser Radial world champion Alison Young (GBR), London 2012 bronze medallist Evi van Acker (BEL) and 2016 Youth Worlds champion Dolores Moreira Fraschini (URU) to name but a few.
The men’s Laser fleet also looks strong with the close training group of Rio 2016 silver medallist Tonci Stipanovic (CRO), 2016 Sailing World Cup Final winner Pavlos Kontides (CYP) and Ireland’s youngest Olympic helmsman Finn Lynch not only taking on each other, but fierce competitors like Germany’s Philipp Buhl who has won multiple Sailing World Cup titles and 2015 and 2016 Laser world champion, Nick Thompson (GBR).
Great Britain’s Women’s 470 teams will look to take over the mantle from Rio 2016 gold medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark while there are some new world champions looking to upset the established order in the US Sailing ranks.
Amy Seabright and Anna Carpenter will take on Sophie Weguelin and Eilidh McIntyre as the British Sailing Team look to replace their outgoing Olympic champions who are taking on new challenges. The focus can’t just be on national status though as fourth placed Rio 2016 pair Afrodite Zegers and Annaloes van Veen (NED) and fifth placed Ai Kondo Yoshida and Miho Yoshioka (JPN) will also be looking to get their Olympic quad off to a good start.
In Auckland, New Zealand last month, USA’s Wiley Rogers and Jack Parkin wrapped up the 2016 Aon Youth Worlds title in the 420 with a day to spare. The young guns now have an opportunity to measure themselves in the 470 fleet against the established team of Stu McNay and Dave Hughes (USA) in their first competitive outing since becoming world champions.
Other young guns on the start line will be Spain’s Jordi Xammar, who begins life with new crew Nicolas Rodríguez García-Paz and Austrian helm Nikolaus Kampelmühler who has teamed up with Olympian Florian Reichstädter.
The Finn fleet will feature 2016 World Cup Miami winner Jorge Zarif (BRA), 2016 World Cup Final winner Jake Lilley (AUS) and France’s Fabian Pic who has ambitions of claiming the French #1 spot with Jonathan Lobert taking a break from sailing. Pic won a race at the 2016 Finn Gold Cup in Takapuna, New Zealand in a strong fleet last year so has shown signs that he is more than capable of carrying French hopes.
The Laser, Laser Radial, Finn and 470 fleets will have six days of fleet racing from Tuesday 24 January which will culminate in LIVE medal races on Saturday 28 January.
World Sailing will be releasing international press releases after racing throughout the duration of World Cup Miami. All the latest news and reports will be available to read here – http://www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/index.php
TELEVISION
Racing and action shots plus interviews in English and native language will be available daily on the FTP server from Tuesday 24th January-Sunday 29th January.
For further information please contact:
Medal Races on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January will be streamed live on World Sailing’s Facebook and YouTube Channel. URLs and embed codes are available below:
The Sailing World Cup is a World-class, annual series of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors. Over 2,000 of the World’s leading sailors, representing over 75 nations have competed in the Sailing World Cup which offers a definitive guide to the best-of-the-best in the Olympic sailing world.
2017 Sailing World Cup Miami Presented by Sunbrella
MIAMI, Fla. (January 10, 2017) – Established in 1990 by US Sailing, Sailing World Cup Miami Presented by Sunbrella annually draws elite sailors, including Olympic and hopefuls from around the world. The regatta features high-level racing and often serves as a National Team or Olympic Team qualifier for many countries. The 28th edition of Sailing World Cup Miami – is set to return to Biscayne Bay for six days of racing on January 24-29, 2017.
Miami’s newest waterfront public space, Regatta Park in Coconut Grove, welcomes anyone interested in watching the racing or learning more about the sport of sailing to come to Regatta Park and participate in this unique, spectator-friendly experience. The Fan Zone will be broadcasting live action from Biscayne Bay on a large video display in Regatta Park on Friday, January 27 through Sunday, January 29. On Saturday and Sunday, you can also catch the final rounds of racing for each class and the champions’ celebrations broadcasting live as they return to shore. Food trucks are also expected to be on location.
Regatta Park in Miami. Photo by Golden Dusk Photography.
Regatta Park is located at 3400 Pan American Drive in Miami, Fla.
Sailing World Cup Miami Presented by Sunbrella is sponsored by Sunbrella, Beneteau, Jeanneau, Tuuci, City of Miami, Zhik, Harken, McLube, University of Miami, Sturgis Boatworks, Papa’s Pilar Rum, North Sails, Florida Sports Foundation and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
