What's on the line at the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami

by US Sailing Team 26 Jan 2019 01:43 NZDT 27 January - 3 February 2019

Racing will soon begin at the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami (HWCSM). This year marks the 30th anniversary of elite-level Olympic class sailing on Biscayne Bay. Over 600 sailors representing 62 nations will be competing in Miami, Fla. for the second of four regattas in the 2019 Hempel World Cup Series. The United States has a large and talented collection of sailors competing at the second World Cup event of the 2019 series, including 57 entries and 85 total sailors.

The top eligible U.S. athlete(s) who finish in 10th place or higher in their class at the HWCSM will also qualify for selection to the 2019 US Sailing Team. Athletes Charlie Buckingham (Laser), Paige Railey (Laser Radial), Erika Reineke (Laser Radial), Caleb Paine (Finn), Stu McNay (Men's 470), and Dave Hughes (Men's 470) have already qualified to the 2019 US Sailing Team by placing in the top 20 at the Hempel Sailing World Championships Aarhus 2018. All of the individuals above were members of the 2018 US Sailing Team.

The qualification procedures for the 2019 US Sailing Team also allow for discretionary selection. Athletes may earn selection after HWCSM based on the following criteria:

1. Regatta results, with consideration to finishing position at the 2019 pre-regattas held January 19 21, 2019 (prior to the 2019 World Cup Series USA Miami) and finishing position at the 2019 World Cup Series USA Miami
2. Recent results in international Olympic-level competition
3. Athlete/team plan for training and racing in 2019 with a goal of Tokyo 2020, as approved by the Chief of Olympic Sailing, Malcolm Page

The event is also a country and athlete* qualifier for the Pan American Games. The seven Olympic classes that will be represented at the Pan American Games will have the opportunity to qualify their country at HWCSM. This includes the 49er class, which has recently been announced as an addition to the 2019 Pan American Games.

For details about qualification for the 2019 Pan American Games, click here. To learn more about selection to the 2019 US Sailing Team, click here.

Learn more about US Sailing, the US Sailing Team, and Hempel World Cup Series Miami.

*The 2019 Hempel World Cup Series Miami is only a Pan American Games athlete qualifier for the Laser, Laser Radial, RS:X Men's and RS:X Women's classes.