US Olympic and Paralympic season starts January

by Barby MacGowan on 2 Dec 2004 The Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC) of US SAILING, national governing body for the sport, has announced that its 16th annual Rolex Miami OCR will return to Biscayne Bay from January 23-28, 2005 and on-line registration is underway.

Now a mainstay on the winter competition calendar for any sailor planning an Olympic campaign, the Rolex Miami OCR is an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade 1 event that features competition in the 13 events selected for the Olympic and Paralympic Regattas.

Reflecting changes that were determined at the recent ISAF Annual Conference, the Rolex Miami OCR will replace the Europe dinghy with the Laser Radial in the Women's Single-handed discipline.

The men and women's boardsailing events will be included if the newly designated equipment-the Neil Pryde RS-X-is made available for charter from the manufacturer. Other featured classes are the Finn, 470, 49er, Laser, Star, Tornado and Yngling as the equipment selected for the 2008 Olympic Games, along with the 2.4 Metre and Sonar for the 2008 Paralympic Games.

‘As Olympic and Paralympic sailors look toward the next Games in China, they can expect world-class talent, experienced race management, and exciting racing at the 2005 Rolex Miami OCR,’ said Gary Bodie (Hampton, Va.), US Sailing Team Head Coach and Event Co-Director.

Established in 1990, the Rolex Miami OCR annually draws elite sailors, Olympic medallists, and future Olympic hopefuls from around the world as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Regattas.

In 2004, 323 boats with 503 sailors, representing 39 countries, competed. The regatta is especially important as a ranking regatta for sailors hoping to qualify for the US Sailing Team or the US Disabled Sailing Team, which annually distinguish the top-five sailors in each Olympic and Paralympic class.

Regatta Headquarters for the 2005 Rolex Miami OCR are at the US Sailing Center, with classes hosted by Coral Reef, Key Biscayne and Miami Yacht Clubs; the Coconut Grove Sailing Club; and Shake-A-Leg-Miami.

Early registration is recommended and encouraged by discounted fees for entries received by January 17, 2005. Registrations received after January 17, 2005 will be subject to late fees.

The Notice of Race, Online Registration, and regatta information can be found online at www.ussailing.org/Olympics/RolexMiamiOCR.

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