Brazil’s Torben Grael has been presented with the World Sailing Hall of Fame trophy at Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella.
Following his induction at the 2015 Annual Conference in Sanya, China, World Sailing Vice President Gary Jobson presented Grael with the Hall of Fame trophy as well as a unique blue World Sailing logo pennant that only inductees receive.
Grael is one of Brazil’s greatest sailing exports. He is one of only three individuals to have won five Olympic medals in sailing, including two Bronze medals, a Silver medal and two Gold medals across two classes (Soling and Star).
Further to this impressive record, Grael has also excelled in other areas of sailing. He has won both the Volvo Ocean Race (as skipper of ‘Ericsson 4’) and the Louis Vuitton Cup (as tactician on ‘Luna Rossa’). He has also won numerous World Championships in the Star class and 12 Meter class.
In recognition of his achievements, Grael was awarded the Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award in 2009.
Created in 2007 the World Sailing Hall of Fame has inducted sailors on two occasions.
Olin Stephens, Dame Ellen Macarthur, Paul Elvström, Barbara Kendall, Eric Tabarly and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston were inducted in 2007.
World Sailing Vice Presidente, Gary Jobson, presents the World Sailing “Hall of Fame Tr0phy” to 2015 inducte Torben Grael. Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, United States of America, is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.
Dennis Connor, Alessandra Sensini, Harold Vanderbilt (1884 – 1970), Sir Peter Blake (1948 – 2001), Buddy Melges, Valentin Mankin (1938 – 2014 and Torben Grael were the most recent sailors inducted at the 2015 Annual Conference in Sanya, China.
Sailors will be inducted into the Hall of Fame every third year of the Executive Committee’s tenure. The next induction will be in 2019.
Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella acts as the Olympic continental qualification regatta for sailors from North and South America. Qualify here, you’ll be representing your country on the grandest of stages, miss out, it’s the end of the road.
Torrential rainfall and a chill in the air, Miami isn’t usually like this, but competition for World Cup honours and Rio 2016 Olympic spots are keeping the temperatures on Biscayne Bay hot.
Competitiveness from the front to the back of each fleet has been evident and every sailor has something to fight for. Whether it’s the coveted Rio spot, a Sailing World Cup honour, internal qualification for Rio 2016 or even striving to perfect their game, it’s all on in Miami.
Sailors were made to wait for racing on Thursday as torrential downpours killed off the breeze and produced large quantities of surface water. When the breeze materialised it enabled the sailors to commence racing at 15:20 local time in building conditions that ranged from 12-17 knots from the south east.
Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin (AUS) regained the Nacra 17 lead after they finished ahead of overnight leaders Mandy Mulder and Coen de Koning (NED) in both of the day’s races.
They have a seven point gap over the Dutch but a scintillating battle is developing towards the back of the pack.
Just one point separates South American Rio 2016 hopefuls from Guatemala and Uruguay with one day of fleet racing remaining.
Guatemala’s Jason Hess and Irene Abascal were in the driving seat for the Olympic spot but two poor results enabled Uruguay’s Pablo Defazio Abella and Mariana Foglia to hit them on the counter attack.
The Uruguayans finished 23rd and 31st, leaving them on 272 points, one behind the Guatemalans who had their worst day on the water after a 37th and a discarded DNF.
In terms of races won against each other, Hess and Abascal lead the stakes 6-5 after 11 and it will be head to head on the water on Friday to decide who takes the single South American Nacra 17 place.
Canada’s Luke Ramsay and Nikola Girke have a strong advantage in the North American qualification duel. They are more than 60 points clear of the only other hopeful, Puerto Rico’s Enrique Figueroa and Franchesca Valdes. Ramsay and Girke will want to stay out of trouble on Friday to book their nation another Rio 2016 place.
Billy Besson and Marie Riou (FRA) were Thursday’s Nacra 17 stars after double bullets. They are fourth overall.
A single race in the 49er Gold, 49er Silver and 49erFX was completed.
Diego Botin and Iago Lopez (ESP) and New Zealand’s Alex Maloney and Molly Meech held on to top spot in the 49er and 49erFX respectively. Race wins went the way of John Pink and Stu Bithell (GBR) in 49er Gold, Ryan Seaton and Matthew McGovern (IRL) in 49er Silver and Ida Marie Nielsen and Marie Olsen (DEN) in the 49erFX.
On the Rio 2016 Olympic qualification front, there is plenty happening in all three fleets.
Chilean brothers Benjamin and Cristóbal Grez Ahrens haven’t made things easy on themselves in their battle against Uruguay’s Santiago Silveira and Philipp Umpierre for the South American 49er Rio spot. A disastrous start and up and down results gave the Uruguayans the advantage after two days.
The Uruguayans were positioned to make the gold fleet with the Chileans back in silver ahead of Wednesday’s so they had it all to do. Match racing was the name of the game and the Chileans forced the Uruguayans hand with an OCS and BFD to squeeze them back into silver fleet.
Thursday was an opportunity for both teams to reset and from a single 49er Silver race, the Grez Ahrens brothers grabbed the initiative, leapfrogging the Uruguayans. A Chilean ninth compared to the Uruguayans 18th ensures they go into the final day of fleet racing with a six point advantage.
In the north, gold fleet racing will decide the spot. USA in the driving seat with Thomas Barrows, III and Joseph Morris seventh on 71 points. Canada follow with David Mori and Justin Barnes 29th on 104 points and British Virgin Islanders Alec Anderson and Christopher Brockbank are down in 31st.
American sailors Paris Henken and Helena Scutt as well as Emily Dellenbaugh and Elizabeth Barry have put their nation in a strong position to qualify in the 49erFX. Henken and Scutt are 18th on 142 points and their compatriots, 21st on 161. Their nearest rivals are U.S. Virgin Islanders Mayumi Roller and Agustina Barbuto who trail on 181 in 23rd. Aruba’s Odile and Philipine Van Aanholt hold 226 points in 32nd.
Chile’s Arantza Gumucio and Begoña Gumucio are the only South American entrants who have not yet qualified for Rio 2016 so will qualify this week.
Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, USA is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.
Laser and Laser Radial
A very fluid weather pattern (in more ways than one) made for a challenging, albeit short, day on the water for the Laser and Laser Radial fleets. The threat of thunderstorms kept the fleet ashore through the early afternoon. Once the sailors launched, the compressed time left the sailors with little time to properly research the breeze. Adding to the confusion, the weather changed just as the Radials were halfway up the first leg.
“In the beginning it was quite light,” said Evi van Acker (BEL). “But then the rain came and along came the wind. So it was quite windy in the race, which was nice to have a little bit of difference compared to the first three days.”
It was also quite shifty and, with the visibility reduced, tough for the sailors to formulate a plan of attack. As is often the case in difficult conditions, the cream rose to the top, with Marit Bouwmeester (NED) nipping Sarah Gunni Toftedal (DEN) by just two seconds and adding to her impressive string of four first-place finishes in the qualifying races. But Bouwmeester was hard-pressed to describe how she won the race.
“I don’t really know,” she said with a laugh. “The weather was quite tricky with the rain so I think I was just a bit lucky being on the right side of the wind shifts.”
Bouwmeester, who won the silver medal at the 2012 Olympics and the 2015 Laser Radial World Championships, is probably being modest. But her day did have one significant, and totally unexpected, hurdle that she handled with a veteran’s poise.
“A 470 trailer, they didn’t put it up right after the 470 went into the water and it fell down and it fell straight through my sail,” she said. “So just before [launching] I had a hole in the sail. But thank God it didn’t influence the racing too much
“I didn’t like it. I was like, ‘Bloody 470s.’ But there’s not much I can do about it. This guy gave me some sail tape and I tried to cover it up as good as I can.”
In third in the race, and sitting solidly in second overall was van Acker, who was a little more expansive when asked about the path to success in Race 6.
“I think play the shifts on the first beat and the first reach and the downwind,” she said. “But I could’ve done a bit better. So not super happy with today, but plenty to play for tomorrow.”
Van Acker is the defending Olympic bronze medalist, but there’s a lot of Laser Radial talent in Belgium and she won’t know until late spring whether she’ll return to the Olympics.
“We have a selection committee that will decide at the end of May or the beginning of June,” she said. “But as I said, I’m not really busy with the selection, just trying to do my best in every race.”
Currently sitting third in the overall standings is defending Olympic gold medalist Lilja Xu (CHN) who finished 35th, by far her worst race of the regatta. After discarding that finish she is just two points out of second and eight points off the lead.
Paloma Schmidt was the only South American sailor, who had not yet qualified for Rio 2016, to make the Laser Radial gold fleet. As a result, she has qualified Peru in the Laser Radial.
North American sailors from the Cayman Islands, Cuba, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago missed out on the gold fleet as Bermuda’s Cecillia Wollman and Mexico’s Natalia Montemayor advanced.
Nine points separated them before Thursday’s racing but they ended up even on 95 points apiece after the single race. Wollman finished 39th and Montemayor, 40th. Results would lead to suggest some strong tactics coming in to play with three races on Friday to determine who will go to Rio de Janeiro this August.
After sailing a nearly flawless qualifying series, Rutger van Schaardenburg (NED) had his first significant bobble of the regatta when he was caught over the line before the gun and didn’t return to start correctly, recording a 50-point OCS. As he’s able to discard that score, he retains the overall lead, but the margin has narrowed. Jean-Baptiste Bernaz (FRA) is currently second overall after getting a fourth today.
While the Radials started in light breeze, the wind had picked up substantially by the time the Lasers started sailing. Still, the weather was difficult to read.
“I didn’t have [a really solid plan for the first beat],” said Bernaz. “I just say, ‘OK, let’s sail and watch; what you see is what you get.’ I was on the right, but when I saw the left gaining, I just go on the left side of the fleet. I was losing a lot and I re-gained what I lost. I was fourth at the top mark, third, then fourth again. It’s good to sail in front.”
Bernaz has been on a tear of late, with top-five finishes in his four of his last five major regattas. The lone blip, a 54th at the 2015 Laser World Championships, has knocked his world ranking down to 22nd, but he’s sailing like a medal contender at this event.
“It’s the year of the Games, some [Olympic selection series] for different countries, so everyone is 100 percent, maybe 110,” he said. “It’s a really hard fleet and it’s really hard to be consistent. Now we start the finals, so it’s the top 49, so it’s really hard, really compact.”
Sailing to his fourth second in the last four races, five-time Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt (BRA) moved into third in the overall standings.
“The first few races I had bad starts and it was difficult conditions, it was shifty and light, and I just made bad decisions at the beginning of the race,” he said. “I knew I had the speed to do better and the ability to do better. From the third day I started to sail more with the fleet, more consistent, better starts.
“Today was a full-on race, it started to blow very hard just a few minutes before the start and we knew we’d have to be out of trouble, have a clean start, and use the speed and hike hard. It was a tough race. The breeze kept increasing throughout the race. I just sailed clean, sailed a solid race. I’m really happy about that.”
Scheidt won three medals in the Laser class, gold in 1996 and 2004 and silver in 2000 before switching to the Star, where he won silver in 2008 and bronze in 2012. With the Star eliminated from the Olympic roster, he was forced to choose between missing the Rio Olympics or returning to the grueling 14-foot dinghy,
Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, USA is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.
“The goal is to try to do the Olympic Games in my home country,” he said. “Unfortunately the Star is not anymore an Olympic class. I wish it was. It’s not easy to come back to the Laser after a certain age. But I’m enjoying it. I’m still having fun out there. I’m still competing at a high level. Of course, it’s not easy because physically it’s a quite a demanding boat. Right now I’m in a good moment, free of injuries and really looking forward to the next six months.”
He hasn’t been as dominant as he was at his peak, when he won eight world championships, but Scheidt is a serious medal threat, and anyone who thinks the pressure of competing in his home country will compromise his performance should check Scheidt’s track record. Among other accomplishments, his final Laser world championship was won on Brazilian waters. He knows what to expect, and how to handle it.
“It’s going to be a different Olympics with the crowd the expectations, competing in Rio, a place I’ve sailed all my life, for an Olympic medal,” he said. “It’s going to be very special. That’s why I’m still doing it. That’s the reason why I’m still training hard, pushing hard. To be able to join the Olympics one last time would be a great thing for me.”
Mexico’s Yanic Gentry made the gold fleet in the cut and with none of his rivals from Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico making it, he has qualified his nation in the Laser.
All of the South American sailors aiming for Rio 2016 are in the silver fleet and no racing was possible on Thursday. As it stands, Venezuela’s Jose Gutierrez is 65th on 139 points, Uruguay’s Federico Yandian 66th on 140, Ecuador’s Matias Dyck on 145 and Colombia’s Andrey Quintero 84th on 180.
Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, United States of America, is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay. @Sailing Energy
Men’s and Women’s 470
With a win in today’s lone race, Lara Vadlau and Jolanta Ogar (AUT) moved into a tie for first place with the Brazilian team of Fernanda Oliveira and Ana Luiza Barbachan. Those two teams are starting to stretch away from the rest of the fleet. As this fleet is one of the smallest in the regatta, it will be hard, but not impossible, for anyone else to claw back into contention for the win. The other teams in the top five are Shasha Chen and Haiyan Gao (CHN), Marina Gallego and Fatima Reyes (ESP) and Sydney Bolger and Carly Shevitz (USA).
Onan Barreiros and Juan Curbelo Cabrera (ESP) were the only team in the top six of the Men’s 470 fleet to record a top-five finish today. As a result the Spanish duo pushed their lead over Stu McNay and David Hughes (USA) out to five points. Panaglotis Mantis and Pavlos Kangialis (GRE) are third, nine points further back. A point behind third is Matthias Schmid and Florian Reichstäder (AUT). While there are three races scheduled for tomorrow, it’s hard to imagine anyone outside that top four making a serious challenge for the lead.
It’s one on one in both North and South America for Rio 2016 Olympic qualification. Canada’s Jacob Chaplin-Saunders and Graeme Chaplin-Saunders, on 53 points, have a good advantage over Mexico’s Jeronimo Cervantes Belausteguigoitia and Ander Belausteguigoitia, on 90 points, in the North.
Looking south, the 21st placed Ecuadorians, Jonathan Martinetti and John Birkett, have work to do on the final day of fleet racing to catch the 17th placed Chileans, Andres Ducasse and Francisco Ducasse. The Chileans have a 16 point advantage.
Canada’s Allison Surrette and Alexandra Ten Hove are uncontested for the North American spot so will seal that place this week. Chile’s Nadja Horwitz and Sofia Middleton are poised to take the South American spot, holding a 36 point advantage over Argentina’s Mercedes Travascio and Delfinia Bellagio.
Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, USA is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay. @Sailing Energy
Finn
It was the grey beards who dominated today’s lone race in oldest of the Olympic classes. Olympic silver medalists Jonas Hoegh-Christensen (DEN) and Zach Railey (USA) went 1-2 in the race and now hold those same positions in the overall standings. But in reality, the top six, who are separated by just three points, are standing on a level playing field with three races scheduled for tomorrow and then the double-points medal race on Saturday. The other sailors in that top group are Jorge Zarif (BRA), Jake Lilley (AUS), Lei Gong (CHN) and yesterday’s leader Caleb Paine (USA).
The 11th placed Chilean, Antonio Poncell, is sandwiched in between his South American rivals from Argentina, Facundo Olezza in ninth and Juan Ignacio Biava in 11th.
Poncell holds 47 points which is 12 off Olezza and two ahead of Ignacio Biava. Canadian Finn sailors have no North American rivals in the Finn fleet with Finn fleet racing to conclude on Friday.
Paralympic Classes
Helena Lucas (GBR) has positioned herself nicely at the top of the 2.4mR leader board ahead of the final day of Paralympic racing on Friday.
A third consecutive race win leaves her three points clear of early leader Bruce Millar (CAN) however the London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist will have to tread carefully on the final day as she discards a 12th from the first race of the series.
Peter Eagar (CAN) occupies the final podium spot with a day remaining but is just a single point clear of Charles Rosenfield (USA).
Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell, Scott Lutes (CAN) opened up a six point advantage over 2015 Para World Sailing Champions John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Steve Thomas (GBR) after winning the single Sonar race.
Colin Harrison, Jonathan Harris and Russell Boaden (AUS) are third overall heading into Friday’s final Paralympic races.
Men’s and Women’s RS:X
The Race Committee had to manually input the results from the RS:X race course into the results system after racing. Results will be available in due course.
Sailors opening their curtains in Miami this morning would have been welcomed by a pleasant breeze that was enough to put a grin on their faces.
Upon arriving at the venues of Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella their grins were to turn into a smile as a 14 knot south eastern breeze whipped its way around Biscayne Bay.
Predicted to hold throughout the day, the breeze was unable to sustain its tempo, dropping early afternoon and in the words of Australia’s Jason Waterhouse it was a day to ‘have your head on a screw.’
In the end, only the 49er, Laser and Paralympic fleets completed their full schedule of racing for the day with the remainder either completing three, two, one or in the RS:X Women and Finn fleets case, no races.
Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, United States of America, is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.
Nacra 17
Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin (AUS) arrived back at Regatta Park, a new venue for Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella, late in the day with a consistent day of racing under their belts in tricky conditions.
A 3-4-3 in stable conditions is a day to be proud of, but in the Miami shifts, that’s impressive. The trick? “Have your head on a screw,” exclaimed Waterhouse. “Just keep looking around and making good tactical decisions. The first race was a boat speed race and the next two were tactical chess playing races.
“It was a lot of fun out there and I’m sure there were a lot of ups and downs and we are happy to come away on the right side of it. We had a really good day and were really consistent, it was tricky and typical of Miami. We can take it forward for the rest of the regatta.”
The Australians are two leading lights in the Nacra 17 fleet, modest in their approach, humble in their ways yet full on and intense in the racing arena. They won gold at the Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2015 and are backing that performance up with further results to match.
After five Nacra 17 races they lead the way on 13 points, Mandy Mulder and Coen de Koning (NED) follow on 20 and Santiago Lange and Cecilia Carranza Saroli (ARG) sit third on 26.
Race wins on the day went to Iker Martinez and Julia Roman (ESP), Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders (NZL) and Paul Kohlkoff and Carolina Werner (GER).
Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, USA is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.
49er and 49erFX
‘Keeping it consistent’ is a term every racing sailor aspires to and that term could not be more appropriate in the Olympic sailing arena.
Sailors don’t necessarily have to win a race to claim a medal. Regular results at the front of the pack can go a long way to ensure you’re there at the end when it counts.
Argentina’s Victoria Travascio and Maria Sol Branz are well known for their light breeze consistency and they personified that once again by picking up a 2-1-2.
“We did very good and it was really cool,” explained Travisco. “We managed three good starts and that was it really. The first we went on the left, had a good start and stayed on the left.”
The Argentineans demonstrated their light wind nous in the middle of 2015, winning Pan American Games gold on Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada. Miami’s conditions on Tuesday suited them and they have leapt up the leader board, tied for third with Brazil’s Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA).
Ragna and Maia Agerup (NOR) hold their overnight lead with Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL) in second.
Defending Miami 49er champions Nico Delle-Karth and Nikolaus Resch (AUT) took over at the top of the pile after four races. They opened up with a 13th, which they discarded before swiftly following up with a fourth, second and a first. They occupy first overall on 12 points.
James Peters and Fynn Sterritt (GBR) are second on 19 and overnight leaders Jorge Lima and Jose Costa (POR) drop to third on 24 points.
Men’s and Women’s 470
Today, on the Women’s 470 course at the Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella, it was all about the pressure. From the wind, that is. As with yesterday, a promising breeze in the morning dwindled quickly. By noon it was decidedly in the single digits. By mid-afternoon it was on the edge of being unsailable. By that time, however, the women 470 sailors, were ashore, washing off their boats and thinking about what went right or what went wrong—or maybe a little of both—in their two races.
“When it’s so light, the pressure [is most important],” said skipper Fernanda Oliveira (BRA), who, along with teammate Ana Luiza Barbachan, scored a first and a second today and are currently first, by 3 points over Lara Vadlau and Jolanta Ogar (AUT). “You have to be paying attention all the time. I think that we did well downwind, and rounding the marks we could gain some points. It’s going well, lets see what happens in the next few days.
Oliveira also stressed staying sharp before races, especially when there are postponements and general recalls.
“I think that a routine is the best way to keep focus on our goal,” she said. “We are trying to just be checking, all the time, the wind and the current, the courses if they change something, paying attention all the time. If you relax and relax and relax, and try to start it again, it’s complicated. The routine is the most important thing so you make all the times the same thing and then it’s easier to be ready to go.”
With the class’s world championship scheduled for next month in South America, the fleet at the Sailing World Cup Miami is smaller and not quite as deep as in past years. But Oliveira stressed that it’s just as important to stay focused.
“We are trying to do our best; we are trying to train, to make this event like a training for the world championships,” said Oliveira. “But we have a lot of young teams here that are sailing very well, so we have to pay attention to them.”
Some top Women’s 470 teams have skipped this event to rest for the world championships, but Oliveira said that with the pressure of a home Olympics looming on the horizon, she is happy to stay busy.
“The pressure will come for all sailors, and for all Brazilian sailors also,” said Oliveira. “We have to keep paying attention. It will not be easy, it’s a special [Olympics]. I think we are OK; we already did a Games together so we have some experience as a team. In six months we’re going to be ready to go. From now until April, we have a lot of events, so there’s no time to be thinking on it.”
So the motto for the day: on the water, seek out the pressure; off the water, try to keep it at bay.
It was also the experienced Men’s 470 teams that rose to the top, with the top five teams in the overall standings after three races each featuring at least one former Olympian. At the head of the class is the home team, Stuart McNay and David Hughes, who won both races today by a combined 90 seconds. McNay is looking to head to his third Olympics this summer. Two points in arrears—each team has discarded its worst finish—are Onan Barreiros and Juan Curbelo Cabrera (ESP) with Matthias Schmid and Florian Reichstädter (AUT) in third.
Sailing World Cup Miami is the second of six regattas in the 2016 series. From 25-30 January 2016, Coconut Grove, Miami, USA is hosting more than 780 sailors who are competing across the ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes on the beautiful waters of Biscayne Bay.
Laser and Laser Radial
Dutch sailor Rutger van Schaardenburg continued his solid start to the regatta with a first and sixth today. It was a slight step down from his 2-1 yesterday, but it was still the best score of the day, nipping Filip Jurišić (CRO) by virtue of a tiebreaker. Van Schaardenburg retains command of the overall lead, six points ahead of Jurišić. Behind the Croatian sailor, however, lies a tightly packed mob of top Laser talent; just 23 points separates second from 22nd. Included in that group is five-time Olympic medalist Robert Scheidt (BRA) in 13th and American medal hopeful Charlie Buckingham (USA) in 14th. Buckingham is in the first stage of the selection series for the U.S. Olympic Team. While US Sailing Team Sperry teammate Chris Barnard (USA) is not off to a good start, Erik Bowers (USA) is just 2 points behind Buckingham in the overall standings. The Lasers will hope for two races tomorrow and then, regardless of how many races have been completed, the fleet will be split into Gold and Silver Groups for the final two days of full-fleet racing.
Men’s and Women’s RS:X
A single Men’s RS:X race was completed in the light air with the Women’s RS:X unable to sail.
Chinese racer Chunzhuang Liu asserted his light wind prowess again, overcoming Dorian van Rijsselberge by 15 seconds to take his second race win.
Liu has opened up a three-point gap over van Rijsselberge after two races but it’s still very early days in the competition with everything to play for.
Paralympic Classes
Three 2.4mR races have thrown out different victors in each. Bruce Millar (CAN) took the first bullet on the opening day and in Tuesday’s two, Peter Eagar (CAN) and Helena Lucas (GBR) crossed the line first in races two and three.
As a result, the trio are separated by one point at the top of the leader board. Miller leads on three points followed by Eagar and Lucas on four.
Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell and Scott Lutes (CAN) grabbed the lead in the Sonar following a second and a discarded seventh. Race wins went to Aleksander Wang-Hansen, Jacob Haug and Per Eugen Kristiansen as well as Alphonsus Doerr, Brad Kendell and Hugh Freund who are eighth and fifth respectively.
Racing resumes on Wednesday 27 January at 10:00 local time. The Laser, Laser Radial and 49er will complete their qualification series and many of the fleets will be looking to catch up on races lost over two challenging days.
More than 780 sailors from 64 nations are gearing up for the first big showdown of Olympic and Paralympic sailing in 2016, Sailing World Cup Miami presented by Sunbrella. London 2012 gold medallists, World Champions and Rio 2016 medal hopefuls will be among the starters aiming for glory in the ten Olympic and two Paralympic events on show in Miami from 25 to 30 January 2016.
A World Cup podium position is not the only thing at stake in Miami. As a Rio 2016 Continental Qualification regatta for North and South America, several nations will be vying for an Olympic berth. One spot in each of the fleets for both continents will be up for grabs with two available in the Men’s RS:X.
Medal Races on Saturday 30 January will be broadcast live on the World Sailing YouTube channel as well as on ten major broadcasters including ESPN3 in the USA.
Thursday evening’s World Series of Boxing Season VI Group B curtain-raiser in Miami between two great boxing nations was always going to be an emotional affair, but at the final bell it was the British Lionhearts who took a morale-boosting first away win and left USA Knockouts reeling.
The Lionhearts got off to a strong start with European Confederation Championship silver medallist Harvey Horn managing to jab his way past US National Olympic Trials champion Nico Hernandez. Horn dominated the opening exchanges of their light flyweight bout and Hernandez’ late rally wasn’t enough to sway the judges, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead.
It wasn’t long before the Knockouts had drawn level on the night, their 2014 Youth Olympic Games winner Shakur Stevenson putting in an incredible display on his WSB debut to defeat rival Peter McGrail. Unbeaten at Youth and Junior level, the 20 year-old American bantamweight’s confidence was running high, landing a series of left hooks and uppercuts for which McGrail could find no answer.
The third contest of the night between another US Olympic Trial champion, the light welterweight Gary Russell, and Lionhearts’ Pat McCormack was a gripping affair, with Russell looking by far the more composed in the opening rounds. In a spectacular turnaround, McCormack was able to frustrate his opponent’s attacking instincts and took the final three rounds, lifting his team into a 2-1 lead.
Again the US got back on level terms, with Troy Williamson winning his middleweight bout against Charles Conwell and setting up a nail-biting heavyweight decider between Knockouts’ top boxer Cam F. Awesome and Lionhearts’ newcomer Lawrence Okolie, who only put his gloves on for the first time in 2010.
Shakur Stevenson shines but British Lionhearts steal the show on WSB’s big night in Miami
Awesome looked to have adjusted well to his move down from super heavyweight and was too fast for WSB debutant Okolie in the first round but the young British talent grew in confidence as he stopped Awesome’s waves of attacks, and eventually his heavy-hitting style gave a sensational Technical Knockout win to the British Lionhearts.
Miami is the venue for the hotly anticipated WSB Season VI Group B opener between USA Knockouts and British Lionhearts on Thursday evening, as the two World Series of Boxing stalwharts look to get their seasons off to a winning start in what is set to be an electric encounter at the Miccosukee Sports & Entertainment Dome.
USA Knockouts won their opening three matches of Season V before tailing off towards the end of the campaign, while the Lionhearts’ won 23 out of 70 bouts in Group A and finishing seventh. The Knockouts were busy during the Draft in December, however, and the revitalised squad will prove a huge challenge for the British to overcome on US soil.
Nico Hernandez was one of the stars for USA Knockouts in Season V, and the light flyweight will need to be at his very best if he is to beat Britain’s European Confederation Boxing Championships silver medalist Harvey Horn. Two red-hot bantamweights Shakur Stevenson and Peter McGrail emerged from the 2014 Youth Olympic Games and AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships with both of their reputations enhanced, and the bout is set to be a highlight of the evening.
Gary Russell secured his place on the Knockouts’ team this season by winning the US National Olympic Trials at the end of last year, and he faces Lionhearts’ Pat McCormack, who is looking to leave his mark on the competition and push for an Olympic place. Another US Olympic Trials winner, Charles Conwell, will face Troy Williamson in the middleweight bout, with the Brit staking his claim on Anthony Fowler’s place in the Lionhearts’ squad.
USA Knockouts to get WSB Season VI campaign underway against British Lionhearts in Miami
One of the more experienced US boxers, Cam F. Awesome recently switched down a class to heavyweight, a move that paid immediate dividends as he also chalked up a first place at the Olympic Trials. He will be closing out the evening against British Lionhearts’ rising star Lawrence Okolie, who clearly has the talent to cause what could be a match-winning upset
The brand new Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League was launched in Miami (USA) today by three of the biggest names in the sport – Beezie Madden, the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time and currently the only woman in the top 10 of the Longines world rider rankings, American Gold Cup winner and FEI Solidarity Ambassador Jessica Springsteen, and Hannah Selleck, team and individual gold medallist at young rider level and one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars.
The trio, who all started riding almost as soon as they could walk, are already gearing up for the new league, which kicks off in August 2015 across seven East and seven West Coast venues in three countries: the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The North American League boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money across the series, and offers the best Jumping athletes from North America and around the world the chance to qualify for the jackpot of more than US $1.4 million (€1.3 million) on offer annually at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final.
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014:2015
Elegance is an attitude
“Longines’ motto is ‘elegance is an attitude.’ It’s true of their core business but it also rings true for equestrian sport”, Beezie Madden said. “Our sport is about elegance and the harmony we achieve with our horses is essential to success. Longines is the perfect partner for equestrian sport.”
“We are part of an exceptional sport because we get to rely on a very special partner: the horse”, Jessica Springsteen said. “Our horses are so much more than an animal. They are hard-working talented athletes with their own personalities. It’s an awesome sport and I’m so excited to share my passion for it with you today.”
“Horses are a great leveler”, Hannah Selleck said. “As riders we know that you can be winning one day, and on the ground the next. Riders can have very long careers which last for many years. Some of the more mature riders are old enough to be my father, but I quite like the one I’ve got!”
The 14 events* that will host legs of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping™ North American League were selected after a rigorous screening process from a long list of 25 applicants. Impressively, 11 of the events featured in the recently published North American Riders Group Top 25 rankings.
The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping™ North American League will be showcased on a broad range of global platforms, from live TV broadcasts to streaming on digital outlets and mobile, focusing on the drama of equestrian sport with fascinating behind-the-scenes documentary-style coverage.
US passion
“The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping North American League is a massive boost to our sport and will dominate the headlines in 2015,” FEI 1st Vice-President and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee John Madden (USA) said. “The new league is a huge opportunity for our athletes to shine on a North American stage and showcase top-level equestrian sport to fans across North America and the world.
“This league is also ideally suited to wide-ranging global brands that want to reach out to North American and international audiences, drawing very clear affinities with their own visions and values alongside Longines.”
Longines equestrian boost
Longines, the FEI’s Official Top Partner, Timekeeper and Watch of the FEI, is a major supporter of the Olympic sport of Jumping around the world, and is already title partner of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League and Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping China League.
Longines is now looking forward to supporting the further growth of Jumping across North America as the official Title Partner and Watch of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League. In addition, Longines will also provide a dedicated timekeeping team and data handling service for each of the 14 legs.
“We are proud to be partnering the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League”, Juan-Carlos Capelli, Vice President of Longines and Head of International Marketing said. “This association is part of our long-term commitment with the FEI as we are its Top Partner, but also the Title Partner, Official Timekeeper and Watch of the Longines FEI World CupTM Jumping Western European League, Chinese League and, as of today, the North American League.”
The Swiss watchmaker’s timing heritage in the United States goes back to the 1870s, and by 1886 the company’s popular chronograph engraved with a jockey and his mount was being used by most sport judges in New York.
To celebrate this time-honoured legacy and the launch of the new league, the coveted Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping trophy will be showcased at Morays Jewelers boutique in Miami, before being transported to Las Vegas for this year’s Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final. The world’s best riders, including many of those that will go on to contest the new season North American League, will be bidding to be crowned the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion in Vegas (15-19 April).
Today’s launch was held at SPORTELAmerica, the annual sports media industry convention in the USA.
Horsepower! American Jumping superstars Jessica Springsteen and Beezie Madden arrived in style for the launch of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping™ North American League at SPORTELAmerica in Miami (USA) today. (FEI/Mark Serota/AP)
Beezie Madden (20/11/1963)
Elizabeth (Beezie) Madden is the most decorated US female equestrian athlete of all time and was the first female Jumping rider to earn over US $1 million in prize money. The three-time Olympian’s long list of accolades includes two Olympic team gold and an individual bronze medal, team and individual silver (2006) and team and individual bronze (2014) at the FEI World Equestrian Games™, and two team gold and an individual silver at the Pan-American Games. The four-time winner of the USEF Equestrian of the Year title and 2013 Rolex FEI World Cup™ champion, last year became the first woman to win the prestigious Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead (GBR) shortly after returning six weeks on the sidelines with a broken collarbone.
Jessica Springsteen (30/12/1991)
Jessica Springsteen may have one of the most iconic surnames in the international rock music scene, but the accolades and titles she has earned in the show ring are all her own. Spurred on by her parent’s passion for horses, the Duke University graduate won multiple national titles in her junior and young rider career, and has continued to excel in the senior ranks of the sport. The FEI Solidarity Ambassador, who trains with Olympic gold medallists Laura Kraut (USA) and Nick Skelton (GBR), enjoyed a banner year in 2014. She was a member of the winning US team in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ in Dublin (IRE), won the American Gold Cup at the New York venue in North Salem, and was one of 10 riders to be long-listed for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy (FRA) with Vindicat W. She was also declared leading rider at the Washington International Horse Show in October. This season she has already notched up eight top-10 finishes with her string of horses, headlined by Vindicat W, Lisona, and Davendy S.
Hannah Selleck (16/12/1988)
Actor Tom Selleck’s daughter, Hannah has her sights set firmly on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. She began riding at the age of four and achieved great success during her years as a Young Rider. She had a standout year in 2008, winning team and individual gold at the North American Young Riders Championship and the United States Equestrian Federation Talent Search Finals West. In 2013, Selleck was third in the Showpark Summer Festival Grand Prix with the mare Barla. In 2014, the pair cruised to a fifth-place finish in the Amalaya Investments Trophy class at the Longines Los Angeles Masters. Olympians Will Simpson, Leslie Burr Howard, and Ian Millar have all supplemented her training over the years.
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League calendar*
East Coast
August 2015
Bromont, QC (CAN) – International Bromont
September 2015
New York, North Salem (USA)
October 2015
Washington, DC (USA) – Washington International Horse Show
Lexington, KY (USA) – National Horse Show
November 2015
Toronto, ON (CAN) – Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
February 2016
Wellington, FL (USA)
Ocala, FL (USA) – Live Oak International
West Coast
August 2015
Langley, BC (CAN) – Thunderbird
September 2015
Rancho Murieta, CA (USA) – Sacramento International Horse Show
October 2015
Del Mar, CA (USA) – Del Mar International
Calgary, AB (CAN)
November 2015
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – Las Vegas National
February 2016
Valle de Bravo (MEX)
Thermal, CA (USA) –HITS Thermal
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League
A total of 14 athletes from the new North American league will qualify for next year’s prestigious Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final, which will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) on 23-28 March 2016.
The top seven athletes from the East Coast US, top three from West Coast US, and the two best-placed athletes from Canada and Mexico, will qualify for next year’s Final, alongside winners of 15 leagues around the world.
Bigger than ever in 2015, with an atmosphere crackling with adrenaline, the ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, Presented by Sunbrella, was ground zero on Sunday as competitors from 63 countries made their final preparations.
US Sailing’s premiere event brings together a who’s who of Olympic and Paralympic talent. Six days of racing will test them and leave them judged. Australia’s silver-medallist 470 skipper of last year, Mat Belcher, summed up that experience by saying simply that being on that racecourse, with that fleet, “was essential.” Essential, that is, to anyone who hopes to be standing on a podium in Rio de Janeiro at the 2016 Olympic Games.
With as many as 800 sailors entered, the 26th year of this event sets a record for participation. The ISAF Sailing World Cup, presented by Sunbrella, is the only U.S. stop on the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup series. Melbourne, Australia kicked off the first of six events, with successful sailors earning qualification spots and ranking points toward a World Cup finale in Abu Dhabi late in 2015.
ISAF SAILING WORLD CUP MIAMI 2015-Sunday prerace boat prep. US SAILING Center Miami
All 10 Olympic and three Paralympic classes named to the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are racing here. The 10 Olympic classes are: Laser Radial (women), Laser (men), Finn (men), Men’s RS:X, Women’s RS:X, 49er (men), 49er FX (women), Men’s 470, Women’s 470, and Nacra 17 catamaran (mixed). Paralympic classes included are: 2.4mR, SKUD-18 and Sonar.
ISAF medals, gold, silver and bronze, will be awarded to the top three boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class on Saturday, January 31. Competitors in the Paralympic classes will have five days of fleet racing (Monday-Friday) with no Medal Race.
Antonio González de la Madrid, ISAF Technical Delegate, is pleased, he said, “To see so many sailors from South America and the Caribbean. These are countries that are not represented so much in racing in Europe. Looking ahead, the forecast for breeze is good; much better than the extreme light air we had last year; so we face fewer challenges there. We do have challenges on the Laser course because we have a wealth of entries, and we have to split the fleet. But we have the best race officials in the world working on behalf of the best sailors in the world and we’ll be fine.”
Reflecting upon the decision some years ago to locate an Olympic Training Site here, Josh Adams, Managing Director of US Olympic Sailing, observed, “A turnout this large and this competitive confirms that Miami is a preferred venue for Olympic and Paralympic competition. The heat is rising as we come closer to the 2016 Games in Rio, and we’ll see the evidence on the water this week.”
The 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami is presented by Sunbrella, with gold sponsors Beneteau, Jenneau and Lagoon Catamarans. Silver sponsors are Sperry, Chubb Personal Insurance and the City of Miami. Supplier sponsors are Harken, McLube, CRSA, the University of Miami Health Sports Medicine, Vetus Maxwell and Adventure Sports.
Cuba Domadores Remain Perfect In Wsb After Victory Against Algeria Desert Hawks
After a dominant 5-0 week one victory over Morocco Atlas Lions, the defending World Series of Boxing (WSB) Champions Cuba Domadores maintained their perfect start to Season V with another shutout victory over Algeria Desert Hawks.
This time, the Domadores traveled to Africa, but they maintained their high standards from the very beginning against the Desert Hawks who were making their first appearance of the season.
Flyweight (52 kg) Yosbany Veitia is one of Cuba’s best boxers, and the superstar took his overall WSB record to 9-0 as he defeated Abdelhakim El Barka.
Lightweight (60 kg) Domadores fighter Lazaro Alvarez also won his opening WSB contest against Reda Benbaziz, and is now 7-1 in the competition.
Cuban Welterweight (69 kg) gold medal specialist Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo has a perfect WSB record, and now boasts a flawless 6-0 record after beating Sofiane Tabi.
A great Light heavyweight (81 kg) contest resulted in yet another win for Cuba, as Julio Cesar De La Cruz defeated two-time Olympian and 2007 All-Africa Games gold medalist Nabil Kassel.
The last fight of the evening was at Super heavyweight (91+ kg), and Cuba’s Lenier Eunice Pero made it 5-0 for the Domadores yet again with a win over Hamza Beguerni.
Cuba Domadores look to continue their perfect start in week three at home to Russian Boxing Team, while Algeria Desert Hawks travel to Mexico Guerreros.
The Fairytale Continues As Puerto Rico Hurricanes Remain Undefeated Against Argentina Condors
Although the pedigree of Puerto Rican boxing is highly distinguished, few boxing insiders were tipping the Puerto Rico Hurricanes much success in their debut World Series of Boxing season, but the new Franchise remain undefeated after an away win against Argentina Condors.
Their 3-2 victory in Buenos Aires comes after another win of the same scoreline against Rafako Hussars Poland, while Argentina Condors are still yet to taste victory in Group B.
Flyweight (52 kg) Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio is one of Puerto Rico’s most promising boxing talents, and he won his WSB debut on all three scorecards against Argentina’s Cristian Alan Choque Chambi.
The Hurricanes roared in match number two, where Lightweight (60 kg) Jose Rosario won an even wider points victory over Brian Ivan Nunez.
Argentine Welterweight (69 kg) Alberto Ignacio Palmetta has been one of the most successful boxers in recent years from the South American nation, and he clawed back a win for his Franchise against Nicklaus Flaz.
The Condors made it 2-2 on the night at Light heavyweight (81 kg) when Marcos Escudero won by unanimous decision over Joseph Laboy.
With everything to play for in the final Super heavyweight (91+ kg), the Hurricanes powerful Cosme Henrique dos Santos Nascimento secured the win for his team as he stopped Facundo Cesar Ghiglione in round three of their fight.
Puerto Rico Hurricanes look to maintain their undefeated record in week three away to Italia Thunder, while Argentina Condors will try and regroup away to Rafako Hussars Poland.
Mexico Guerreros win at home to leave Morocco Atlas Lions still without a WSB victory
After defeat for both Mexico Guerreros and Morocco Atlas Lions in their opening Group A matches, their match in Aguascalientes was a crucial one, and the home Guerreros ultimately proved victorious, winning the night 4-1 to leave Morocco still without a win this season in the World Series of Boxing (WSB).
Flyweight Alam Yael de la Luz Galindo started the night off successfully against Morocco’s Achraf Kharroubi, winning on two scorecards, while the third judge had the fight even.
A dominant last round from the Mexican fighter established the victory, and he showed many skills throughout the contest.
Mexico’s Lightweight (60 kg) Lindolfo Delgado then made it 2-0 for his Franchise with a unanimous points win over Moroccan Abdellah Boudrar who won October’s Mohamed VI Trophy.
The Atlas Lions earned their lone win of the evening in fight three, as Mohammed Rabii caused a major upset against Mexico’s Marvin Cabrera who was the WSB Season III number one ranked Welterweight (69 kg).
Rabii had a lot of pressure going into the fight, and after winning in Mexico against one of the best fighters in the weight class, he is one to watch this season.
Ecuador’s Carlos Mina is competing at Light heavyweight (81 kg) for Mexico Guerreros this season, and he confirmed their opening win of the season by defeating Mohamed Assaguir on points.
Mexico’s young Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Edgar Ramirez has amazing potential, and he displayed huge amounts of skill in the last fight of the evening, as he won every round against Morocco’s Thierry Adolphe Ngueharoum.
The Guerreros are at home again in week three against Algeria Desert Hawks, while Morocco Atlas Lions look for their first win against British Lionhearts.
Usa Knockouts Remain Undefeated, Leaving Italia Thunder Without A Win This Season
After an inconsistent season last year in the World Series of Boxing (WSB), USA Knockouts seem to be establishing themselves as a major threat in Season V of the competition, as they won their second match in a row against Italia Thunder.
Conversely, the Italians are struggling, having yet to win this season and their 3-2 loss in Miami to USA will cause major problems for potential qualification from Group B.
The night began with a bang, as USA Flyweight (52 kg) Brent Venegas III stopped India’s Gaurav Bidhuri in the first round to give the Americans an early advantage.
Lightweight (60 kg) US 2014 Junior and Youth Open Champion Carlos Balderas is just 19-year-old, but is already being talked about as a future superstar in this sport, and he showed why against Fabio Introvaia, dropping a solitary round on one scorecard en route to a dominant victory.
The evening was won for the Knockouts after just three fights, when Welterweight (69 kg) Brian Ceballo surprisingly defeated Italia Thunder’s Olympic silver medalist Fred Evans via a wide unanimous decision.
An Italian fightback of sorts occurred in the last two bouts, where at Light heavyweight (81 kg) Valentino Manfredonia won against Steven Nelson, while at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) Guido Vianello beat America’s Cam F. Awesome via disqualification in round four of their fight.
USA Knockouts have another home match in week three against Caciques Venezuela, while Italia Thunder look for their first win at home to Puerto Rico Hurricanes.
Can Puerto Rico Hurricanes make it two wins in a row against Argentina Condors?
An American derby ends the second week of Season V of the World Series of Boxing, with Argentina Condors at home to Puerto Rico Hurricanes.
The Condors lost their first week bout 4-1 at home against USA Knockouts, while the Hurricanes enjoyed a dream debut as they beat Rafako Hussars Poland at home.
Sunday 25th January is the date, and the Stadium of Argentina Boxing Federation, Buenos Aires is the venue, and fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 00:00 (GMT -3) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
A Flyweight (52 kg) fight opens proceedings, and the fast and pacy Cristian Alan Choque Chambi looks for victory against Puerto Rico’s prospect Jeyvier Cintrón Ocasio who won the silver medal at the 2012 AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships, and was one of the youngest competitors in the London 2012 Olympic Games, where he advanced to the quarter-finals, losing only to the two-time AIBA World Champion Misha Aloian.
The second fight of the evening is at Lightweight (60 kg) with Argentina’s Brian Ivan Nunez, who competed in many matches last season fighting Jose Rosario who won the Cheo Aponte Tournament last year.
Up next are the Welterweights (69 kg) and one of Argentina’s best boxers is in action, as Alberto Ignacio Palmetta, ranked top 20 in the world by AIBA faces Nicklaus Flaz who won bronze at the XXII Central American and Caribbean Games.
Argentina Condors Light heavyweight (81 kg) Marcos Escudero then fights Puerto Rico’s Joseph Laboy, before the conquering Super heavyweights (91+ kg) finish the evening off as WSB veteran Facundo Cesar Ghiglione represents Argentina against the powerful Cosme Henrique dos Santos Nascimento.
Algeria Desert Hawks open their WSB Season against Cuba Domadores
The Defending World Series of Boxing (WSB) Champions Cuba Domadores enjoyed a successful start to the competition in week one when they whitewashed Morocco Atlas Lions 5-0, and this time they travel to Africa to face Algeria Desert Hawks.
This will be the first appearance of the season for the Hawks after their first week match with Russian Boxing Team was postponed due to bad weather, and they will be itching to make an immediate impression on the tournament.
Hocine Chalane, Blida hosts the action for this Group A match, and on Saturday 24th January, fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 18:00 at AIBABoxingTV.com.
The Flyweights (52 kg) are in action first, and Abdelhakim El Barka has a tough task against Cuba’s Yosbany Veitia who won all eight of his WSB matches last season.
A Lightweight (60 kg) battle follows that, and it doesn’t get any easier for Algeria with two-time AIBA World Champion, Olympic bronze medalist and 6-1 WSB record holder Lazaro Alvarez facing Algeria’s Reda Benbaziz who will look to rely on his past WSB experience.
Algerian Welterweight (69 kg) Sofiane Tabi then looks to showcase his skills in front of his home fans against Cuban gold medal specialist Roniel Iglesias Sotolongo who went 5-0 in his debut WSB season.
Light heavyweight (81 kg) sees Julio Cesar De La Cruz putting his 5-1 WSB record on the line when he faces two-time Olympian and 2007 All-Africa Games gold medalist Nabil Kassel.
The last fight of the evening at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) could be Algeria’s best chance of a win, as they have Hamza Beguerni in action, who memorably knocked out England’s Joseph Joyce in the 2013 AIBA World Championships.
His opponent, Lenier Eunice Pero won the gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games, but the Cuban will have to be wary of the power from his African opponent.
Can Caciques Venezuela create the ultimate upset against Azerbaijan Baku Fires?
After losing 5-0 in their debut World Series of Boxing (WSB) match away in Kazakhstan, Caciques Venezuela look for their first win in the competition at home against WSB Season IV runners-up Azerbaijan Baku Fires.
The Fires crushed Italy 4-1 in their opening match of the season, and will fancy their chances for another big win away in South America.
Estadio Polideportivo José María Vargas, Maiquetía is the venue for the action, and on Saturday 24th January, fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 21:00 (GMT -4.5) at AIBABoxingTV.com.
Eduard Johan Bermúdez Salas competed at the 2008 Olympic Games for Venezuela, and he makes his WSB debut at Flyweight (52 kg) against Azerbaijan’s Elvin Mamishzada who impressed in the Finals last year with a decisive win over Cuba’s Gerardo Cervantes.
There is great action at Lightweight (60 kg) in fight number two, with home favourite Nestor Armas in action against The Baku Fires superstar Albert Selimov who snapped the undefeated streak of the number one ranked Lazaro Alvarez last season.
Welterweight (69 kg) Gabriel Maestre Perez reached the quarter-finals of the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the Venezuelan many fancy his chances against Yauheni Ramashkevich, who has a 2-3 WSB career record, and lost the deciding match in the Season IV Finals.
The Light heavyweight (81 kg) division always produces entertaining contests in WSB, and Albert Ramon Ramirez Duran makes his debut for Venezuela when he fights 2012 Olympian Soltan Migitinov.
Azerbaijan’s Arslanbek Makhmudov was the number one ranked Super heavyweight (91+ kg) in WSB last season amassing a 5-0 record, and he is the clear favourite in the last fight of the evening against Edgar Ramon Munoz Mata who competed at Light heavyweight in the 2004 Olympic Games.
Mexico Guerreros and Morocco Atlas Lions both aim for their first win of the season
Aguascalientes, Mexico, hosts the first home fixture for Mexico Guerreros in Season V of the World Series of Boxing, and they host Morocco Atlas Lions.
Both Franchises lost their first match of the season, so these five bouts carry huge significance even at this early stage of the competition.
This Group A match takes place on Saturday 24th January, 20:15 (GMT -6) , and fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand at AIBABoxingTV.com.
The Flyweights (52 kg) open this fixture, with speedy Mexican Alam Yael de la Luz Galindo fighting Morocco’s Achraf Kharroubi who won the prestigious Roberto Balado Cup in Havana last year.
Mexico’s Lightweight (60 kg) Lindolfo Delgado began his WSB career last season, and he opens up his account here against Moroccan Abdellah Boudrar who won October’s Mohamed VI Trophy.
An interesting Welterweight (69 kg) clash follows between WSB Season III number one ranked Marvin Cabrera of Mexico fighting Mohammed Rabii who will be looking to cause an upset away from home.
Ecuador’s Carlos Mina claimed the gold medal at the Pacific Cup in the latter stages of last year, and his excellent recent form sees him compete at Light heavyweight (81 kg) in WSB for Mexico.
His opponent is Mohamed Assaguir, a relatively unknown fighter who is looking to make a name for himself in WSB.
The last fight of the evening is a powerful contest at Super heavyweight (91+ kg) and Mexico’s young Edgar Ramirez is a truly promising boxer, and he faces Morocco’s Thierry Adolphe Ngueharoum in a bout that could end very early.
USA Knockouts look to inflict further damage on Italia Thunder in Miami
After their opening week one victory over Argentina Condors, the USA Knockouts seek to make it two wins out of two in the World Series of Boxing (WSB) against Italia Thunder, who are reeling from their opening loss in Azerbaijan.
The Miccosukee Sports & Entertainment Dome, Miami is the venue for this Group B match, and on Saturday 24th January, 19:30 (GMT -5) fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand at AIBABoxingTV.com.
In the first fight of the night, the Flyweights (52 kg) are in action, and Brent Venegas III is one of the brightest prospects in America, but will have to be at his best to defeat Gaurav Bidhuri, an Indian boxer who represents Italy, and who has prior WSB experience for former Franchise Mumbai Fighters.
The Lightweights (60 kg) are in action next, and the 2014 Junior and Youth Open Champion Carlos Balderas is just 19-year-old, one of the youngest competitors in WSB this season, and is tipped as a potential future superstar in the sport.
His opponent is Italy’s Fabio Introvaia, one of the most technically gifted boxers in the Italian squad.
Three-time Golden Gloves Champion Brian Ceballo has big dreams of making the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and the Welterweight (69 kg) fights a decorated Olympian Fred Evans in Miami.
Evans, a Welshman representing Italy, won the silver medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and is a European gold medalist.
US army soldier Steven Nelson only began boxing in 2010, but is now the number one Light Heavyweight (81 kg) for America, and the Knockouts star fights Italy’s Valentino Manfredonia who competed well in many international events during 2014.
At the turn of the year, Olympic sailors took to Instagram, posting a picture that states ‘2013 was practice, 2014 was the warm up, 2015 is game time.’
With Rio qualification regattas, national trials and a testing ISAF Sailing World Cup circuit throughout the year the heat is on. And at 10:00 local time on Monday 26 January, 2015’s ‘game time’ begins with the sounding of the starter’s gun at ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, Presented by Sunbrella.
More than 800 sailors from 63 nations racing across ten Olympic and three Paralympic events will light up Miami, Florida’s glorious Biscayne Bay. With ISAF Sailing World Cup Final Abu Dhabi qualification spots and valuable ranking points available the game will heat up in the sunshine state.
Historically the Laser has always been the largest fleet in Miami and that is no exception to 2015 with a strong contingent of international sailors making up the 120 boat fleet.
2015 is a key year for many competitors with Rio 2016 Olympic qualification regattas fast approaching. For American Laser sailors the 2016 edition of the regatta will be their first internal qualification event, but the highest ranked American sailor, Charlie Buckingham at World #11, will want to lay down a marker one year in advance.
“Miami is always an important event for me personally,” said Buckingham, “so I am happy it serves as part of the OIympic trials. This year I will be aiming to perform my best at this event as I have in years past and as I will next year.
“I’ve had roughly two months of preparation, both training and racing, after a pretty big break post-Santander. This year is the strongest I’ve ever seen the fleet since I’ve done the regatta. Everyone will be here.”
Buckingham has been a familiar face in Miami, competing at the regatta a consecutive seven times from 2008. As one of 16 American sailors within the strong Miami fleet a performance that mirrors his third place in 2013 will leave him in a good place in advance of his national trials.
The Laser fleet is jam packed with talent from World Champions to Olympic medallists, all of whom are aiming for an Abu Dhabi ISAF Sailing World Cup Final slot. World #1 Tom Burton (AUS) sealed his spot at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne so the pressure is off, but the determined Aussie will have his eyes on the prize after narrowly missing out on a Miami podium in 2014.
World #2 Robert Scheidt (BRA) will make his first international appearance since Santander 2014 in Miami whilst defending champion Tonci Stipanovic (CRO) will also return.
With 22 of the world’s top 25 Lasers heading to Miami, the competition will be one of the most hotly contested in recent times.
The Laser Radial fleet will see 80 competitors lock horns. World #1 and 2014 World Champion Marit Bouwmeester (NED) will be joined by World #2 and 2014 Abu Dhabi ISAF Sailing World Cup Champion Evi Van Acker (BEL) as well as Melbourne gold medallist Alison Young (GBR).
Paige Railey (USA) will attempt to take the title for the third year in a row whilst Railey’s ever improving compatriot, Erika Reineke, will be aiming to move up from her ninth place at the 2014 regatta.
The Men’s RS:X is set to be an exceptional competition with the leading racers making the trip to Miami.
In amongst a sea of experienced competitors is a young Frenchman who is mixing it up at the top. Louis Giard (FRA) picked up gold at the inaugural ISAF Sailing World Cup Final in Abu Dhabi and heads to Miami fully fired up with confidence sky high, “That put me in a good place and gave me a lot of motivation for 2015,” said Giard. “It was my first win in the senior fleet and it helped me a lot to look forward and to try to do the same in upcoming events.”
Giard put in a performance worthy of a champion in Abu Dhabi but knows he still has a lot to prove, “It would be good for me to show that Abu Dhabi was not a surprise. My goal is just to do the best I can. I have never been in Miami so it will be a bit new for me but it was the same in Abu Dhabi. A podium could be a good start for 2015 but my training is not at the top at the moment but I will try to do the best start for 2015.”
Like Buckingham in the Laser, Giard has an eye on his Olympic trials and just like the American he wants to put a good show on in Miami, “I’m expecting tough competition, as usual. Everybody wants to win and once again it will be the first event of the year for everybody. Miami is the best way to prepare for the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Hyères which will be the first step of the Rio trials.”
Giard’s compatriots Pierre Le Coq and Thomas Goyard will join him in Miami. As will World #1 Byron Kokkalanis (GRE), World #2 Ricardo Santos (BRA) and London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Dorian van Rijsselberge (NED).
Miami will also see a high level Women’s RS:X fleet take to the water. Bryony Shaw (GBR) started 2014 by taking the Miami title and wrapped the year up by claiming the Women’s RS:X ISAF Sailing World Cup Final title in Abu Dhabi. She will be gunning for another great start to her year in Miami.
Joining the Briton in the fleet will be World #1 Flavia Tartaglini (ITA), World #3 Laura Linares (ITA) and London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Marina Alabau (ESP).
ISAF Sailing World Cup Final Abu Dhabi gold medallists Alex Maloney and Molly Meech (NZL) will sail in a highly competitive fleet that features 2014 World Champions and 2014 ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze (BRA).
The Kiwis will be competing in a single fleet of 40 teams and will have to be on top form, ensuring mistakes are at a minimum, “It is exciting to have a smaller fleet here in Miami,” commented Meech, “as it will let us sail against the top girls the whole regatta rather than just through the final days. It will make the racing more exciting overall.
Maloney and Meech touched down in Miami early last week to compete at the 49erFX Midwinters where they finished three points off Grael and Kunze and Meech has liked what she’s seen, “So far Miami has given us good conditions. We were coming over here expecting light winds the whole time, but it looks like we are going to get a mixture which will be nice.”
World #2 Ida Marie Nielsen and Marie Thusgaard Olsen (DEN) will be within the Miami fleet, as will World #3 Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth (GBR) and World #4 Giulia Conti and Francesca Clapcich (ITA).
The 49er will also throw out some exciting competition with strong British, Canadian, Spanish, French, Italian and American teams in the mix. Other contenders include ISAF Sailing World Cup Final gold medallists Lukasz Przybytek and Pawel Kolodzinski (POL), Ryan Seaton and Matthew McGovern (IRL), Erik Heil and Thomas Ploessel (GER) and returning champions Jonas Warrer and Anders Thomsen (DEN).
Racing commences on Monday 26 January through to Saturday 31 January. Competitors in the Paralympic events will have five days of fleet racing from Monday 26 to Friday 30. Medal Races across the ten OIympic events will bring the regatta to a close on Saturday 31 where medals will be awarded to the top three boats.
From 26-31 January 2015, Miami, USA will welcome world class fields in ten Olympic and three Paralympic events for the second regatta of the 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup series.
Biscayne Bay will come alive with the sails of 651 boats, featuring 848 sailors from 63 nations. The stakes are high at the 2015 edition of ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, Presented by Sunbrella, with Abu Dhabi Final qualification spots and valuable ranking points available at the 200-point regatta.
The 2015 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, Presented by Sunbrella, marks the second anniversary of competition for the Nacra 17. The mixed multihull made its debut at the 2013 edition with a small seven boat fleet that was dominated by North Americans. Sarah Newberry and John Casey (USA) took the first Nacra 17 gold medal and now two years on, Miami welcomes a truly international field with 21 nations represented within the 51-boat fleet.
Seasoned campaigners and young hopefuls will be on the start line come 26 January, gunning for an Abu Dhabi ISAF Sailing World Cup Final qualification spot.
Beijing 2008 Tornado Olympic gold medallist Fernando Echavarri (ESP) will take to Nacra 17 racing for the first time in Miami. Echavarri has paired up with 2011 470 World Champion Tara Pacheco who formerly sailed with Iker Martinez. Pacheco and Martinez, who were coached by Echavarri, split up towards the end of 2014 with Martinez teaming up with Marina Lopez.
The transition from coach boat to the Nacra 17 has gone well for the experienced Echavarri, a two time Tornado World Champion, who is taking things in his stride, “We have been sailing for about two months. We are just starting and there are many things that are going on and we want to think about a one year campaign. If everything works well and we qualify [for Rio 2016], we will then think about the next step.
“Miami will be the first race so we are just thinking about learning and getting into the game again. At the moment we are taking it day by day. We have many things to organise before we even think about our goals. For today I can tell you that our goal is to balance the rudders, which will make everything easier.
“We’ve had some normal starting issues that make us lose some time but we are happy about our progression. There are many things to learn and they are special to remember. Here in Miami we came two days ago [Thursday 15 January] with a charter boat so there is plenty of work to do to prepare.
“It’s a nice competition, as always, in Miami. I am really happy to be back in the game.”
Echavarri joins a list of highly experienced competitors in the Miami Nacra 17 fleet. Two time Nacra 17 World Champions Billy Besson and Marie Riou (FRA), Sofia Bekatorou and Konstantinos Trigonis (GRE), Franck Cammas and Sophie de Turckheim (FRA) and Puerto Rico’s Enrique Figueroa, sailing with Franchesca Valdes Ortega, all have vast experience that they’ll put into practice in Miami.
At the other end of the spectrum are Aruba’s Nicole van der Velden and Thijs Visser. At 20-years-old Van der Velden is one of the youngest competitors in the fleet but with two years of campaigning behind her, she hasn’t been intimated by her older rivals, reaching World #17 and finishing in the top ten at the European Championship.
“It’s amazing how much you can learn in two years just by committing to something,” commented van der Velden. “The learning curve has been huge for me. The Nacra is so much fun to sail and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring for us.”
It would be easy for van der Velden to look in awe at the star spangled fleet that features numerous Olympic medallists, Volvo Ocean Race winners and multiple World Champions but she has used the competition to her advantage as she explained, “It’s awesome to be able to sail against such experienced sailors. It really pushes you even harder to get better and better, especially being so young there’s so much to learn.
“For us at the moment it’s quite important to keep working on our racing skills. So every race we do we try to learn as much as possible from it.”
Lisa Darmanin and Jason Waterhouse (AUS) were the first Nacra 17 pair to qualify for the Abu Dhabi ISAF Sailing World Cup Final when they took the Melbourne title. Teams will be vying to join them on the start line with six days of high intensity racing in Miami.
Great Britain’s Giles Scott will spearhead the Finn fleet, aiming to defend his title and continue his unbeaten run of six ranked regattas and the Aquece Rio – International Sailing Regatta 2014 (Olympic Test Event).
Scott has dominated at every regatta and has his eyes on another victory, “It [the unbeaten run] is absolutely something I’d like to continue. Every regatta I do is incredibly important, but that being said I do really try and focus on each event as it comes so we’ll have to see what Miami brings, I’m sure it will be great racing.
“I think the fleet will be very strong this year with only a handful of the top guys missing. Last year we were plagued by lack of wind so hopefully this year we get good Miami conditions.”
World #1 Ivan Kljakovic Gaspic (CRO), World #2 Caleb Paine (USA), ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne victor Ed Wright (GBR) and Abu Dhabi ISAF Sailing World Cup Final champion Vasilij Zbogar (SLO) will all be in the fleet.
Forty five teams are registered to compete in the Men’s 470 and quality is prevalent throughout the pack. Mat Belcher and Will (AUS) will be the ones to beat whilst 2013 champions Sofian Bouvet and Jeremie Mion (FRA) will want to hold on to their title. 2014 ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao gold medallists Jordi Xammar and Joan Herp (ESP) will be looking to impress whilst Greece’s Panagiotis Mantis and Pavlos Kagialis will certainly be in the running for top honours.
In the Women’s 470, 2014 World Champions Lara Vadlau and Jolanta Ogar (AUT), Olympic champions Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie (NZL) and Olympic silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark (GBR) will renew their rivalry. The trio shared the podium at the Santander 2014 ISAF Worlds as well as the 2014 Olympic Test Event with minimal separation between them.
Miami will be the first opportunity for the trio to test themselves against each other in 2015 which will make for some intriguing and insightful racing.
In the 2.4mR, one of three Paralympic events taking place in Miami, Megan Pascoe (GBR) will be aiming to defend her title. In testing winds at the 2014 edition Pascoe kept her focus to take the victory ahead of Allan Leibel (CAN) and Helena Lucas (GBR). Both Leibel and Lucas will return in 2015 with Melbourne victor Matt Bugg (AUS) and the ever consistent Bjornar Erikstad (NOR) also within the fleet.
Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell (GBR) return to defend their crown in the SKUD18 but will face stiff competition from long term rivals Dan Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS). Ten boats will go in the competitive Sonar fleet with 2014 silver medallists John Robertson, Hannah Stodel and Stephen Thomas (GBR) set to lead the charge.
Competitors in the Paralympic events will have five days of fleet racing from Monday 26 January to Friday 30 January. Medal Races across the ten OIympic events will bring the regatta to a close on Saturday 31 January where medals will be awarded to the top three boats.
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