ISAF Sailing Worlds, Santander - Americans ready for 470 medal races

by Will Ricketson on 20 Sep 2014 Continuing what has been a strong year of results for US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider 470 athletes, the United States will be represented in both the men's and women's 470 medal races on Saturday at the ISAF Sailing World Championships.

Another key accomplishment secured on day eight was the qualification of the USA for the men's and women's 470 events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. With strong showings in both fleets at the Worlds, the Americans are now assured of a berth in Rio in these classes, although individual US Olympic Sailing team athletes have yet to be selected.

Saturday Medal Race Schedule:

470 Women Medal Race: Race Start: 2:10PM (Santander Time), 8:10AM EST, 5:10AM PST
470 Men Medal Race: Race Start: 3:10PM (Santander Time), 9:10AM EST, 6:10AM PST

The women's 470 team of Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Deigo, Calif.) endured some misfortune on the final day of gold fleet action, but still enters the medal race in top-5 position and with a shot at the podium. Beginning day eight in third overall, Haeger and Provancha were having a good first race of the day until a capsize in heavy winds resulted in a leg injury for Haeger, and a DNF (Did Not Finish) score. After being treated, Haeger and Provancha competed in the final race, finishing 14th. Haeger and Provancha are now in fifth overall, and sit 13 points behind 2012 Olympic silver medalists Mills and Clark (Great Britain), who are in bronze medal position. 2012 Olympic gold medalists Aleh and Powrie (New Zealand) are in second, and will attempt to overtake Vadlau and Ogar (Austria) for what could be their second consecutive World Championship title. Haeger is expected to make a full recovery, and will compete in tomorrow's medal race.

Men's 470 sailors Stuart McNay (Providence, R.I) and David Hughes (San Diego, Calif.) had a scoreline of 21,16,7 in the final gold fleet races on eight. Now in sixth overall, the veteran athletes will attempt to secure a career-best finish at the worlds by passing Matsunaga and Yoshida of Japan in the medal race. McNay and Hughes' best result to date came in 2013, when they finished sixth overall at the 470 World Championships in La Rochelle, France. After racing against each other for several years with other partners in the 470 class, McNay and Hughes' pairing (starting in 2012) continues to yield impressive international results. A second consecutive top-10 finish at the Worlds cements their position among the elite in this deep Olympic class.

In the Finn class, Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) continues to steadily chip away at the leaderboard and has now advanced from the high 20's on day one to his typical position in the top-10. Now in ninth overall, Paine said that a brand-new boat and mast, and improved boat speed, have helped him achieve what so far has been an impressive recovery. 'This new gear has been exactly what I needed,' said Paine. 'Even at times when I'm not feeling fast, now I'm at least average. It really helps.' Also assisting Paine this week has been the presence of his coach, US Olympic silver Medalist (Finn, Barcelona 1992) Brian Ledbetter (Seattle, Wash.). 'Brian is so energetic that it helps me get amped for each race. But beyond getting me in the zone, he is incredibly professional and a huge asset on the water.'

Notable US Results, Overall:

470 Women (54 boats):
• Fifth, Annie Haeger and Briana Provancha, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

470 Men (73 boats):
• Sixth, Stuart McNay and David Hughes, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

Laser Men (147 boats): Final
• Seventh, Charlie Buckingham, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider
• 15th, Chris Barnard, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

Finn (78 boats):
• Ninth, Caleb Paine, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

Laser Radial Women (120 boats): Final
• 14th, Erika Reineke, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

49er Men (40 boats raced on Day Four, 80 total boats):
• 22nd, Brad Funk and Trevor Burd, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

49erFX Women
• 31st, Paris Henken and Helena Scutt, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

Nacra 17 (67 boats):
• 36th, Sarah Newberry and John Casey, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

RS:X Women:
• 40th, Farrah Hall, US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider

RS:X Men:
• 73rd, Carson Crain, US Sailing Team Sperry Event website