Percy/Simpson go to Olympics - Ainslie on hold again

by Sail-world.com/uk on 1 Oct 2007
The RYA have announced that the British Star crew of Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson will be nominated for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. But, in a reversal of their earlier stance, the Finn spot will remain open until more sailing trials have been held - Ben Ainslie and Ed Wright will face off in top international regattas in Sydney and Melbourne this winter.

The announcement by the RYA clears up the indecision after they left Ainslie, Percy and Simpson out of their earlier nominations for the 2008 Games. Widely expected to be named for the Finn and Star slots, the RYA claimed that further discussions were required due to their involvement in Team Origin's America's Cup challenge.

Also, there was considerable support for Britain's other top Finn sailor, Ed Wright, especially after he took the gold at the UK Sail for Gold regatta, when Ainslie did not compete. The RYA have now recognised this and the two top Brits will race each other in the international regattas taking place in Australia this winter.

This decision means that the pair will race each other in the Finn events at the Sydney International Regatta in December and, if required, the Finn Gold Cup in January in Melbourne.

If further trials are required, they will be the Princess Sofia Trophy in Palma (ESP) and French Olympic Sailing Week at Hyeres (FRA), both in April 2008.

The RYA Olympic Selection Committee has reserved the right to disregard results of individual regattas if they deem the fleet quality inadequate for a Trials regatta.

Chris Atkins, Chairman of the RYA’s Olympic Selection Committee:

'We’re also looking forward to the continuation of the trials in the Finn class, where our two World Class sailors Ben Ainslie and Ed Wright will have the opportunity to race against each other for the first time since the start of the RYA’s Olympic trials process for Beijing.'

Laser Radial class selection details . . .

The RYA Olympic Selection Committee has also determined the events which will form the continuing Trials in the Laser Radial class.

The shortlisted four of Andrea Brewster, Penny Clark, Charlotte Dobson and Lizzie Vickers will be tested at the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in January and, if required, the Laser Radial World Championship at Takapuna (NZL) in March and the French Olympic Sailing Week at Hyeres (FRA) in April.

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