62 ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 athletes racing at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials

U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Sailing © US Sailing Team

The second edition of U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Sailing will take place out of Miami Yacht Club for two of the nation's most popular classes: the ILCA 6 (formerly "Laser Radial") and ILCA 7 (formerly "Laser Standard"). 62 athletes will take to the Atlantic Ocean from February 17-24, for the most important qualifying regatta on their path to the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

"Miami Yacht Club and the City of Miami are excited to welcome back US Sailing and the USOPC to our beautiful Biscayne Bay Campus for the second round of Olympic Trials," said Miami Yacht Club Commodore, Mark Ingraham. "The regatta will be tight racing action with athletes vying to represent Team USA this summer."

On February 24, following the competition and confirmation of the winners of the second set of 2024 US Olympic Team Trials - Sailing, US Sailing will announce its nominations for Team USA in two of the ten Olympic sailing classes.

"This high-pressure format is intended to truly test the athletes and make sure the strongest are nominated, and US Sailing is excited to get competition under way for the ILCA 6s and 7s," said Event Chair and Barcelona 1992 Bronze Medalist, Pamela Healy. "In partnership with Miami Yacht Club and the Race Management Team of Coconut Grove Sailing Club, we're proud to host a highly competitive domestic Trials for the first time since 2008. With a volunteer team of over 40, we are grateful for the commitment, planning, and time these dedicated people have put into running this event for two classes that have grown in depth and excitement for Olympic sailing in the United States."

February U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Sailing by the numbers:

• 37 ILCA 7 Athletes
• 25 ILCA 6 Athletes
• 62 Athletes Total

How do these Trials play into athletes punching their tickets to the Paris 2024 Games and the sailing competition held in Marseille this summer?

Representing Team USA in Sailing at an Olympic Games consists of two parts: a "country qualification" in each of the 10 disciplines or "classes," and "athlete selection" to decide who fills the earned spot in each class.

To qualify the country in each class, any American athlete must place high enough at pre-determined qualifying regattas in the year leading up to the Olympic Games to "qualify their country" for a spot in their class at the Games.

As of December 31, 2023, the USA has qualified in 6 of the 10 classes: 49erFX, 49er, ILCA 6, Women's iQFOiL, Nacra 17, and Women's Formula Kite. Throughout early 2024, the USA will work to earn the final four qualifications in the Mixed 470, Men's Formula Kite, Men's iQFOiL, and ILCA 7 classes. You can find more information regarding the country qualification system here.

The Trials events happening in January and February in Miami serve as the "athlete selection" for those classes. The athletes that win these regattas in the classes that have already earned country qualification will immediately earn their ticket to represent Team USA in Marseille this summer. Athletes in classes that do not yet have country qualification will earn selection but will still need to work together to qualify the country to complete the second of their two-part process.

Which classes fall into which category at the February Trials?

• The winner of the ILCA 6 class will earn their spot at Paris 2024
• The winner of the ILCA 7 class still requires a USA country qualification to confirm participation at the Paris Games

Schedule

• February 15 - Check-in and Measurement at Miami Yacht Club
• February 16 - Check-in, Measurement, Practice Race, Competitors Welcome, Briefing
• February 17-20 - 1200 Racing
• February 21 - Reserve Day
• February 22-24 - 1200 Racing

REsults will be published as they become available: theclubspot.com/regatta/KFrevxlwxs/results