The skyline of Miami sparkled in the background as US SAILING’s Rolex Miami OCR kicked off today in perfect 8-12 knot breezes. The venue of Biscayne Bay is “one of the finest for sailing in North America,” said
US SAILING’s Olympic Sailing Committee Chairman Dean Brenner. The distinction is apropos, especially considering that this regatta is the second and only U.S. stop for the International Sailing Federation’s (ISAF) World Cup, which moves to seven different countries for as many of its “circuit” events.
The Rolex Miami OCR’s solid 20-year track record also has figured in to attracting this year’s fleet of 444 sailors from 41 countries who consider this their first milestone competition in a four-year cycle, one that culminates in July 2012 with the Olympic Games and August 2012 with the Paralympic Games.
“Not only does the Bay provide good breezes and protected water but also there’s enough space for running six racing circles and 13 events simultaneously,” added Brenner. The 10 Olympic classes competing at US SAILING’s 2009 Rolex Miami OCR are: Laser Radial, Laser, Finn, Men’s RS:X, Women’s RS:X, 49er, Men’s 470,
Women’s 470, Star, and the SB3 Laser (replacing the Elliott 6m only at this regatta, for the new women’s match racing discipline). The three Paralympic classes are: 2.4mR, SKUD-18 and Sonar.
Daily report and results: http://linkbee.com/CI7V
