2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres - USA qualifies for Medal Races

by Will Ricketson on 26 Apr 2015

Charlie Buckingham, Laser Class. Will Ricketson / US Sailing Team http://home.ussailing.org/

2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres - After four days of challenging racing against the best Olympic-class sailors in the world, the US Sailing Team Sperry will compete in front of a worldwide TV audience in medal races on Sunday, April 26th. American athletes qualified for the final round of racing in the Men's Heavyweight Dinghy (Finn), Women's Two-Person Dinghy (Women's 470), Men's One Person Dinghy (Laser) and Women's One Person Dinghy (Laser Radial) classes. The Live coverage will be broadcast in the United States online via ESPN3.

Day Four Report: ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyères 2015

Entering the day in second overall in the Women's 470, and with the points very tight at the top of the standings, Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.) knew they were in for a tough fight. With scores of 13, 10 on Day Four, they now sit in fifth overall and are eight points away from bronze medal position.

Annie Haeger and Briana Provancha, Women's 470 Class, will have a shot at the podium on Sunday. © Will Ricketson / US Sailing Team http://home.ussailing.org/

'It was one of those days when we executed our strategy well, but it just wasn't working out as we hoped,' said Provancha. 'The breeze was difficult to see, and it was tough to predict how the pressure would come down the course. Our downwind legs were good, and got us in position to do well, but it was difficult to finish strong. We tried to be conservative on the upwinds but ran into some trouble.' Haeger and Provancha will attempt to win their third ISAF Sailing World Cup medal on Sunday.

In the men's Laser fleet, Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.) began the day in 12th overall and had some work to do to earn a spot in the medal race, which only includes the top ten boats. After a solid ninth place finish in race seven, he was in tenth overall going into the final race of the day. Buckingham arrived at the first windward mark deep in the pack, but managed to pass over 20 boats on the first downwind leg to round in sixth.

'I saw that the fleet was closely packed, and there was pressure [at a low angle],' said Buckingham. 'I got myself low, with clear air to go fast, and surfed the whole way to the mark.' After eight full-fleet races, Buckingham finished in tenth place by a one-piont margin over eleventh place, and earned a spot in the medal race.

A dedicated surfer, Buckingham can usually be found on the beach when not engaged in Olympic-class training or racing. The two-time College Sailor of the Year connects his downwind success with his other passion. 'I love going downwind, and surfing seems to have helped my speed in the Laser for sure.'

Paige Railey, Laser Radial Class. © Will Ricketson / US Sailing Team http://home.ussailing.org/

Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.) and Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.) will also represent the United States in medal race action tomorrow in the Finn and Laser Radial, respectively. Like Buckingham, they are mathematically eliminated from medal contention, but raced at a high level this week in France.

At this stage in the Olympic cycle, when national sailing teams are getting closer to selecting their Olympic squad, the competition is fierce. 'I'm looking forward to some good breeze and great racing,' said Paine. 'I love medal racing. It's exciting for the sailors and the fans, with close and compact fleets. I love close action, when all decisions have big consequences.'

Medals will be awarded at ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyéres 2015 on Sunday, April 26.

Day 4 US Results: ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyéres 2015

470 Women:
• 5th overall, Annie Haeger (East Troy, Wisc.) and Briana Provancha (San Diego, Calif.)
• 21st overall Sydney Bolger (Long Beach, Calif.) and Carly Shevitz (Santa Barbara, Calif.)
Finn Heavyweight Men:
• 7th overall, Caleb Paine (San Diego, Calif.)
Laser Radial Women:
• 8th overall, Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.)
2.4mR Paralympic (Open):
• 10th overall, Dee Smith (Annapolis, Md.)
Laser Men:
• 10th overall, Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif.
470 Men:
• 11th overall, Stu McNay (Providence, R.I.) and Dave Hughes (San Diego, Calif.)
49erFX Women:
• 17th, Paris Henken (Coronado, Calif.) and Helena Scutt (Kirkland, Wash.)
49er Men:
• 25th, Brad Funk (Miami, Fla.) and Trevor Burd (Marblehead, Mass.)
Nacra 17 Mixed:
• 25th Sarah Newberry (Miami, Fla.) and Matthew Whitehead (Panama City, Fla.)
RS:X Women:
• 35th, Farrah Hall (Annapolis, Md.)