Miami Inside Out: World Cup and Rio Olympics 2016
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| Image World Cup Miami ISAF Nacra 17 Division picking up speed despite mid wind conditions on first days |
More than 711 Top International Sailing Athletes from 64 countries geared up in Miami for the Sailing World Cup 2016. Miami delivered perhaps one of the most important regatta of early 2016.
Miami waters became the pinnacle of a road on which the hundreds of international athletes have embarked for the past years. What was at the table in Miami for the taking? Final spots for the 2016 Olympic Rio Games and the Glory of the World Cup. While some athletes and teams had already qualified for the event several final spots were open. From January 25 to January 30 the battle took to the waters.
Miami World Cup reported on January 30 on the final wrap up of the Race of Races. The end day was “fully loaded with tension”. Ten country from North and South America qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition in 10 classes after bringing in their talent to the Miami showdown.
The 470 Men and Women spots went to Canada and Chile, 49ers and 49ers FX to US and Chile while Nacra spots to Canada and Uruguay, Laser to Mexico and Venezuela, Laser Radial to Bermuda and Peru, Finn to Canada and Argentina and RS:X Men to Canada, US and Venezuela and Colombia and RS:X Women Class to Canada and Argentina.
The Glory of the World Cup was also at stake at Miami and after several days of low wind and rainfall sailing conditions the course was set for a final Medal day of racing with mild wind conditions. Gold, Silver and Bronze podium athletes in Miami will also sail in Rio Olympics and are expected to shine bright. Miamia was “a preview of what is to come in Rio for sailing,” Miami Organizers assured.
Nacra Gold was taken by Mandy Mulder and Coen de Koning Team from the Netherlands, Silver went to US Team Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin Austria which put on hell of a show in the water and Bronce was taken by the Team from Switzerland led by Bühler Matías. Canada which obtained Rio 2016 slots saw its upper positions taken by Luke Ramsay and Nikola Girke who finished 15 while the Argentinean Team also going for Rio ended up 5th overall led by Lange the mythical Argentinean sail.
Laser Radial Gold was taken by Belgium´s own Evi Van Acker Gold Belgium followed by Silver Marit Bouwmeester from Netherlands and Bronze went to Sarah Toftedal from Denmark. Paige Railey from the US finished 7th after stealing the final race with incredible sailing strategy. The top Team from Peru -country with Rio Slots was taken by Paloma Schmidt who finished 36 while Bermuda Qualifying top was Cecilia Wollmann which ended 40 in the fleet.
Finn Gold went to Jorge Zarif from Brazil who dominated the class inside out. Silver went to Denmark's Jonas Hogh-Christensen. Bronce was taken by the Russian Arkadiy Kistanov who stocked and pressure for the lead throughout the entire end day Medal Race.
The 470 Men Class was taken by US Team Stuart Mcnay and David Hughes with outstanding performance. Silver went to Greek Team Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis and Bronze went to Onan Barreiros and Juan Curbelo Cabrera Spàin.
Laser Gold went to Scheidt from Brazil, Silver to French Jean Baptiste Bernaz and Bronze to Sam Meech from New Zealand. 49ers Gold went to Team from Spain Diego Botín and Marra, Silver to Portugal Jorge Lima and Jose Costa and Bronze to Team Carl P Sylvan and Marcus Anjemark from Sweden.
The Paralympic Gold Miami World Cup was taken Great Britain's 2.4mR sailor Helena Lucas and the Canadian Sonar team led by Paul Tingley from snapped up Gold.
Days 1, 2, 3 and 4 proved to be challenging due to low wind conditions, shifting winds, rainfall and storms. Some races were postponed, others delayed and others cancelled as days moved through.
On Day 4 and Day 5 Paralympic Medals in two classes were awarded and several teams obtained qualification slots and prepared to pack for 2016 Rio Olympics.
On Day 5 wind picked up`and was steady and allowed for a complete recovery schedule of packed regattas. Competition was tough with winds reaching 17 to even 20 knots. Athletes gave it all in as fleets were divided by ranking of position in Silver Fleet and Gold Fleet. With just one day to go -Day 6 which will be transmitted live online to the World and by ESPN in the US, the Glory of the World Cup was beating in the background.
The final day -Medal Race Day Day 6 woke up early with a heated sunrise and mid wind conditions which made adrenaline pump. Teams of ESPN and live feed for World Wide Viewers were up and ready to go. It would be one full day of racing. Medals for the taking for every class.
Live and 12 minutes to go sailors in the water geared up. Impeccable logistics followed and spread throughout the course. Coach and umpire and fan boats travelled into the bay. The waters were calm.
First to the line and battling for positions was the Nacra Fleet. With some nice winds sailors began to pick up speed. The Nacra athletes stocked the start line playing out their strategies. 2 minutes to go and the bell went off. The fleet began to maneuver head to head searching for the top wind blocking zones. Athletes looked out into the field for currents, tides, waves and wind zones, patches of water given away by color and texture. The Laser Fleet in the background prepared and on land the rest of the Classes were on the final call.
With a slightly rugged and bumpy surface water and nice steady winds Umpire boats gave way to the count down. The final blow took the air of Miami's ocean and the Nacra fleet tightened up their sails and pushed through the start line in a packed confusion. Argentina´s Lange Team lead the start sailing upwind followed by Austria team. The fleet divided, some taking one border the others another. Border up and border down to the first buoy began. Leg 1 and the fleet began to separate revealing leaders. First around the Buoy came fast, the fleet still semi packed moved through buoy one clean and swift with no collisions. The spinnakers rose and boats accelerated fast. In search of wind zones and avoiding risk dead wind zones downwind battle began. By the time Leg 3 began and upwind sailing started again the wind slightly shifted and dropped. Boats seem to stall for a moment.
First and lead was taken by the Team from Great Britain led by Ben Saxton, Team from Spain of Fernando Echávarri followed and Netherland Team Mandy Mulder went third. But wind picked up and things would soon change. The Final Nacra Leg upwind separated the fleet more widely and difference settled. Great Britain continued to lead and would take the final win with excellent display of low wind strategies.
With 7 knots the final downwind began with Great Britain continuing to led the fleet. A short final leg left Saxton´s GB Team first in the Medal race but the team would finish 6th overall in the Miami Ranking due to their performance during the prior days of racing. Team from Spain and Netherlands battled for the second place in the final short leg of the final race. In the end Spain made it faster to the line. The Spanish Team of Echevarri finished 2nd in the final race and 8th in the overall results. Netherlands however was a different story, after performing steady through the days they reached the final line of the final race third and the Team led by Mandy Mulder took the Gold of the Miami World Cup finishing up first in the overall scoreboard.
The Nacra Fleet was not yet done celebrating positions nor had they reached land when the Laser Radial fleet was up and ready on the water moving up and down the start line. Pushing away from the minutes they drew back of the line and the start blow went off with no recalls. Nice and packed the Women Athletes took with speed to conquering the upwind course. With a strat full of maneuvers sailors tried to separate themselves and battled for the lead. Some looked at the fleet while others played their own game. Taking wild risks it was soon evident who was right on the money for the first run around.
Laser Radial first around the buoy with a nice low wind posture and loose sail was the French rider Mathilde de Kerangat followed by Finland and Denmark who battled for second and third. A close fleet behind the leaders pushed and pressed for a new shuffle of positions. Nothing was settled. Paige Railey from the US who would end up winning the race turned around the first buoy with an impressive over 1 minute difference from the leader. Somehow she would manage to break down that gap. Going downwind the wind went fully down and the small Laser Radial boats shaked. The French team was first around the upwind buoy followed by Denmark second and really closely breathing down the neck Finland after which in just seconds the entire fleet tighted up sails once again. A change of course was set by Umpires who signalled to the fleet that the wind had shifted and this would be definitory in setting the new leadership. Working upwind it was Paige Railey who took a risk and took a border few followed. By the time cameras focused on the third buoy shift and last downwind turn waiting to see the French leader emerge a surprise shocked the commentators...it was Paige Railey who was now was leading the race. Incredibly the US sailors literally stole the lead from the French rider Kerangat. Paige set a difference and worked downwind faster than she worked upwdind increasing her win. French Kerangat rider and Belgium Athlete Evi Van Acker -who put on a great sporting show battled for second and third. It was Paige who took the win of that race moving up the rankings to an overall 7 position not enough for the Miami podium but sure enough for some Rio talking. Evi Van Acker finsihed up second in the final Medal race but took the overall Gold in Miami.
The Finn regatta followed with a pick up of winds. One to minute to go riders set up shop in the start line. The show was about to begin for the 2 point medal race. Gold, Silver and Bronze was up for the taking. Off the line and accelerating the pack went close. Russian Kistanov from the start took over the cameras. Brazil, US and Argentina were in the battle for the start. Chinese Lei Gong also seemed determined for the final run. Maneuver over maneuver Athletes looked for the best upwind position blocking and forcing others to turn to their dead wind zone. Rocking the boats Australia and Brazil, Norway and Argentina and the fleet bordered it out. Leg 1 turn downwind buoy was taken by Brazilian Zarif followed by Pedersen from Norway and Russian Kistanov third in the turn. Sails were released for the downwind sail down. Russia moved up waters throughout the rest of the following legs and comfortably took over the race -Kistanov would move up the overall ranking to 9th because of this win. But second position in the final race for the Brazilian Zarif would earn him the Gold in Miami. China Gong who dominated the battle for third in the Medal race and ended 7 in the board.
The harshest competition was yet to come. The 470 final Medal regatta would be one of the closest, tightest and fastest race of the day. Double-sailed crew and multiple sails up again in the start line back to back while leaders showed off their teeth with positioning manvers. Brazil leading the overall scoreboard heated things up playing their game. US and Spain on the start line sharpened their moves and sails. The start was soon set leaving US on the lead followed closely by Spain, Portugal, China and Greece and an entire fleet ready for the win. Spain looking to separate itself from the fleet took a border and forced Austria team to go up. China followed on that risk moves and stern to stern they battled for every inch of water. In the pack and still making good positions US team and Portugal moved through. To avoid collisions in the upwind demonstration teams ruddered it out to. Head to Head the 470 picked up nice speed. Greece stayed away from the fleet followed by China.
First around the first buoy was US team Huges McNay in full speed they airborne lifted their spinnaker setting a difference of 33 seconds from the second to turn Team from China Xu-Wang followed by Spain and Greece and then the entire pack of hungry athletes. Trained and fit for the run down downwind left a nice difference for the US Team. Reaching the second buoy and second upwind turn they dropped the spinnaker fast and smoothly and with the swift turn of the rudder and tightening up the sails to the prefect point they picked up speed for the upwind work out. 40 seconds behind China followed. Austria Team of Schmid turned third after finding spot to take over third position. Spinnakers up and upwind tight sailing became a vision, inspiring to watch. The team from US pushed hard to overpass their own limits and not giving an inch back secured the gold. Wind went down a notch in the final legs but Hughes managed to pull on through and take the win of the final Medal Day of Racing as well as the Overall Miami Gold.
If the 470 regatta was the tightest, the fastest was without a doubt the race of the 49ers. Despite Umpires had to recall a start due to a massive shift of wind direction the race was fed by new winds, stronger winds. Karth- Resch from Austria took the win and stole the Medal race but finished 6 overall while Team from Spain Botin-Marra took second place in the Medal race and took the Gold for solid performance in Miami. Swedish Team Sylvan took third both the Medal Race and the Bronze Overall Board.
49ers FX, 470 Women, Laser and RS:X Divisions raced the final day which soon came to an end. In the end it was a beautiful day of racing which became a privilege to watch. High values of the International Sailing Sporting Spirit took over the Miami waters and they delivered the incredible and the smooth. All athletes and Teams called for an applause, celebrations and respect.
Miami waters became the pinnacle of a road on which the hundreds of international athletes have embarked for the past years. What was at the table in Miami for the taking? Final spots for the 2016 Olympic Rio Games and the Glory of the World Cup. While some athletes and teams had already qualified for the event several final spots were open. From January 25 to January 30 the battle took to the waters.
Miami World Cup reported on January 30 on the final wrap up of the Race of Races. The end day was “fully loaded with tension”. Ten country from North and South America qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Sailing Competition in 10 classes after bringing in their talent to the Miami showdown.
The 470 Men and Women spots went to Canada and Chile, 49ers and 49ers FX to US and Chile while Nacra spots to Canada and Uruguay, Laser to Mexico and Venezuela, Laser Radial to Bermuda and Peru, Finn to Canada and Argentina and RS:X Men to Canada, US and Venezuela and Colombia and RS:X Women Class to Canada and Argentina.
The Glory of the World Cup was also at stake at Miami and after several days of low wind and rainfall sailing conditions the course was set for a final Medal day of racing with mild wind conditions. Gold, Silver and Bronze podium athletes in Miami will also sail in Rio Olympics and are expected to shine bright. Miamia was “a preview of what is to come in Rio for sailing,” Miami Organizers assured.
Nacra Gold was taken by Mandy Mulder and Coen de Koning Team from the Netherlands, Silver went to US Team Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin Austria which put on hell of a show in the water and Bronce was taken by the Team from Switzerland led by Bühler Matías. Canada which obtained Rio 2016 slots saw its upper positions taken by Luke Ramsay and Nikola Girke who finished 15 while the Argentinean Team also going for Rio ended up 5th overall led by Lange the mythical Argentinean sail.
Laser Radial Gold was taken by Belgium´s own Evi Van Acker Gold Belgium followed by Silver Marit Bouwmeester from Netherlands and Bronze went to Sarah Toftedal from Denmark. Paige Railey from the US finished 7th after stealing the final race with incredible sailing strategy. The top Team from Peru -country with Rio Slots was taken by Paloma Schmidt who finished 36 while Bermuda Qualifying top was Cecilia Wollmann which ended 40 in the fleet.
Finn Gold went to Jorge Zarif from Brazil who dominated the class inside out. Silver went to Denmark's Jonas Hogh-Christensen. Bronce was taken by the Russian Arkadiy Kistanov who stocked and pressure for the lead throughout the entire end day Medal Race.
The 470 Men Class was taken by US Team Stuart Mcnay and David Hughes with outstanding performance. Silver went to Greek Team Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis and Bronze went to Onan Barreiros and Juan Curbelo Cabrera Spàin.
Laser Gold went to Scheidt from Brazil, Silver to French Jean Baptiste Bernaz and Bronze to Sam Meech from New Zealand. 49ers Gold went to Team from Spain Diego Botín and Marra, Silver to Portugal Jorge Lima and Jose Costa and Bronze to Team Carl P Sylvan and Marcus Anjemark from Sweden.
The Paralympic Gold Miami World Cup was taken Great Britain's 2.4mR sailor Helena Lucas and the Canadian Sonar team led by Paul Tingley from snapped up Gold.
Days 1, 2, 3 and 4 proved to be challenging due to low wind conditions, shifting winds, rainfall and storms. Some races were postponed, others delayed and others cancelled as days moved through.
On Day 4 and Day 5 Paralympic Medals in two classes were awarded and several teams obtained qualification slots and prepared to pack for 2016 Rio Olympics.
On Day 5 wind picked up`and was steady and allowed for a complete recovery schedule of packed regattas. Competition was tough with winds reaching 17 to even 20 knots. Athletes gave it all in as fleets were divided by ranking of position in Silver Fleet and Gold Fleet. With just one day to go -Day 6 which will be transmitted live online to the World and by ESPN in the US, the Glory of the World Cup was beating in the background.
The final day -Medal Race Day Day 6 woke up early with a heated sunrise and mid wind conditions which made adrenaline pump. Teams of ESPN and live feed for World Wide Viewers were up and ready to go. It would be one full day of racing. Medals for the taking for every class.
Live and 12 minutes to go sailors in the water geared up. Impeccable logistics followed and spread throughout the course. Coach and umpire and fan boats travelled into the bay. The waters were calm.
First to the line and battling for positions was the Nacra Fleet. With some nice winds sailors began to pick up speed. The Nacra athletes stocked the start line playing out their strategies. 2 minutes to go and the bell went off. The fleet began to maneuver head to head searching for the top wind blocking zones. Athletes looked out into the field for currents, tides, waves and wind zones, patches of water given away by color and texture. The Laser Fleet in the background prepared and on land the rest of the Classes were on the final call.
With a slightly rugged and bumpy surface water and nice steady winds Umpire boats gave way to the count down. The final blow took the air of Miami's ocean and the Nacra fleet tightened up their sails and pushed through the start line in a packed confusion. Argentina´s Lange Team lead the start sailing upwind followed by Austria team. The fleet divided, some taking one border the others another. Border up and border down to the first buoy began. Leg 1 and the fleet began to separate revealing leaders. First around the Buoy came fast, the fleet still semi packed moved through buoy one clean and swift with no collisions. The spinnakers rose and boats accelerated fast. In search of wind zones and avoiding risk dead wind zones downwind battle began. By the time Leg 3 began and upwind sailing started again the wind slightly shifted and dropped. Boats seem to stall for a moment.
First and lead was taken by the Team from Great Britain led by Ben Saxton, Team from Spain of Fernando Echávarri followed and Netherland Team Mandy Mulder went third. But wind picked up and things would soon change. The Final Nacra Leg upwind separated the fleet more widely and difference settled. Great Britain continued to lead and would take the final win with excellent display of low wind strategies.
With 7 knots the final downwind began with Great Britain continuing to led the fleet. A short final leg left Saxton´s GB Team first in the Medal race but the team would finish 6th overall in the Miami Ranking due to their performance during the prior days of racing. Team from Spain and Netherlands battled for the second place in the final short leg of the final race. In the end Spain made it faster to the line. The Spanish Team of Echevarri finished 2nd in the final race and 8th in the overall results. Netherlands however was a different story, after performing steady through the days they reached the final line of the final race third and the Team led by Mandy Mulder took the Gold of the Miami World Cup finishing up first in the overall scoreboard.
The Nacra Fleet was not yet done celebrating positions nor had they reached land when the Laser Radial fleet was up and ready on the water moving up and down the start line. Pushing away from the minutes they drew back of the line and the start blow went off with no recalls. Nice and packed the Women Athletes took with speed to conquering the upwind course. With a strat full of maneuvers sailors tried to separate themselves and battled for the lead. Some looked at the fleet while others played their own game. Taking wild risks it was soon evident who was right on the money for the first run around.
Laser Radial first around the buoy with a nice low wind posture and loose sail was the French rider Mathilde de Kerangat followed by Finland and Denmark who battled for second and third. A close fleet behind the leaders pushed and pressed for a new shuffle of positions. Nothing was settled. Paige Railey from the US who would end up winning the race turned around the first buoy with an impressive over 1 minute difference from the leader. Somehow she would manage to break down that gap. Going downwind the wind went fully down and the small Laser Radial boats shaked. The French team was first around the upwind buoy followed by Denmark second and really closely breathing down the neck Finland after which in just seconds the entire fleet tighted up sails once again. A change of course was set by Umpires who signalled to the fleet that the wind had shifted and this would be definitory in setting the new leadership. Working upwind it was Paige Railey who took a risk and took a border few followed. By the time cameras focused on the third buoy shift and last downwind turn waiting to see the French leader emerge a surprise shocked the commentators...it was Paige Railey who was now was leading the race. Incredibly the US sailors literally stole the lead from the French rider Kerangat. Paige set a difference and worked downwind faster than she worked upwdind increasing her win. French Kerangat rider and Belgium Athlete Evi Van Acker -who put on a great sporting show battled for second and third. It was Paige who took the win of that race moving up the rankings to an overall 7 position not enough for the Miami podium but sure enough for some Rio talking. Evi Van Acker finsihed up second in the final Medal race but took the overall Gold in Miami.
The Finn regatta followed with a pick up of winds. One to minute to go riders set up shop in the start line. The show was about to begin for the 2 point medal race. Gold, Silver and Bronze was up for the taking. Off the line and accelerating the pack went close. Russian Kistanov from the start took over the cameras. Brazil, US and Argentina were in the battle for the start. Chinese Lei Gong also seemed determined for the final run. Maneuver over maneuver Athletes looked for the best upwind position blocking and forcing others to turn to their dead wind zone. Rocking the boats Australia and Brazil, Norway and Argentina and the fleet bordered it out. Leg 1 turn downwind buoy was taken by Brazilian Zarif followed by Pedersen from Norway and Russian Kistanov third in the turn. Sails were released for the downwind sail down. Russia moved up waters throughout the rest of the following legs and comfortably took over the race -Kistanov would move up the overall ranking to 9th because of this win. But second position in the final race for the Brazilian Zarif would earn him the Gold in Miami. China Gong who dominated the battle for third in the Medal race and ended 7 in the board.
The harshest competition was yet to come. The 470 final Medal regatta would be one of the closest, tightest and fastest race of the day. Double-sailed crew and multiple sails up again in the start line back to back while leaders showed off their teeth with positioning manvers. Brazil leading the overall scoreboard heated things up playing their game. US and Spain on the start line sharpened their moves and sails. The start was soon set leaving US on the lead followed closely by Spain, Portugal, China and Greece and an entire fleet ready for the win. Spain looking to separate itself from the fleet took a border and forced Austria team to go up. China followed on that risk moves and stern to stern they battled for every inch of water. In the pack and still making good positions US team and Portugal moved through. To avoid collisions in the upwind demonstration teams ruddered it out to. Head to Head the 470 picked up nice speed. Greece stayed away from the fleet followed by China.
First around the first buoy was US team Huges McNay in full speed they airborne lifted their spinnaker setting a difference of 33 seconds from the second to turn Team from China Xu-Wang followed by Spain and Greece and then the entire pack of hungry athletes. Trained and fit for the run down downwind left a nice difference for the US Team. Reaching the second buoy and second upwind turn they dropped the spinnaker fast and smoothly and with the swift turn of the rudder and tightening up the sails to the prefect point they picked up speed for the upwind work out. 40 seconds behind China followed. Austria Team of Schmid turned third after finding spot to take over third position. Spinnakers up and upwind tight sailing became a vision, inspiring to watch. The team from US pushed hard to overpass their own limits and not giving an inch back secured the gold. Wind went down a notch in the final legs but Hughes managed to pull on through and take the win of the final Medal Day of Racing as well as the Overall Miami Gold.
If the 470 regatta was the tightest, the fastest was without a doubt the race of the 49ers. Despite Umpires had to recall a start due to a massive shift of wind direction the race was fed by new winds, stronger winds. Karth- Resch from Austria took the win and stole the Medal race but finished 6 overall while Team from Spain Botin-Marra took second place in the Medal race and took the Gold for solid performance in Miami. Swedish Team Sylvan took third both the Medal Race and the Bronze Overall Board.
49ers FX, 470 Women, Laser and RS:X Divisions raced the final day which soon came to an end. In the end it was a beautiful day of racing which became a privilege to watch. High values of the International Sailing Sporting Spirit took over the Miami waters and they delivered the incredible and the smooth. All athletes and Teams called for an applause, celebrations and respect.
