Rolex Miami OCR Medals

Image: Amanda Clark and Sarah Chin (USA) © Walter Cooper

On today's final day of racing on 30 January 2010, it was “one race, one chance” today at US SAILING’s 2010 Rolex Miami OCR, the second event of the series.

After gold, silver and bronze medalists were determined yesterday in three Paralympic classes, it was now the turn for sailors in ten Olympic classes to claim podium positions, but the plot came with a twist. Just as will happen at the Olympics in 2012, only the top-ten finishers--determined after five days of fleet racing--earned the right to sail in today’s single medal race for each class, except for in Women’s Match Racing. In that event, which makes its Olympic debut in 2012, sailors competed in finals and petit-finals to determine medalists.

The Rolex Miami OCR, which this year hosted 448 teams (633 athletes) from 45 nations, is one of the world’s most competitive regattas for 2012 Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. As such, each nation’s medal tally is closely watched; USA had the most medals with 10, followed by Great Britain with six, France with five and Spain with four.

In the women's 470 fleet, 2008 Olympians Amanda Clark (USA) and Sarah Chin (USA) won an impressive gold medal in the Women’s 470, after taking a year off since the 2008 Games in Qingdao, China. Leading into today’s medal races, they were two points away from the top (the top three were only separated by one point each) and finished fifth in today’s race, which secured their overall win. France’s Ingrid Petitjean and Nadege Douroux won silver and Denmark’s Henriette Koch and Lene Sommer won bronze.

“It was a very tactical regatta; we couldn’t necessarily rely on being fast in a variety of conditions to pull us through,” said Clark . “It was the best racing we could ever ask for.

“It’s great to win our first major regatta back,” she added. “This was a huge positive for us. We wanted to enter this quad with a strong start, proving we still have what it takes. This time around, we’re ready to be on the podium.”

In the Men’s 470 class, the Swedish team of Anton Dahlberg and Sebastian Ostling were third going into today with the knowledge that whoever finished first among yesterday’s top-four boats would secure the gold medal.

“There is so much to tell,” said Dahlberg about today’s action on the race course. “It was one of the closest races yet, and every inch counted.” He explained that yesterday’s leaders (and eventual bronze medalists) Gideon Kliger and Eran Sela (ISR) became part of a “tough lineup” and got caught up on the top mark. “They had been in second and had to do penalty turns; a lot of boats did turns.” Dahlberg and Ostling, in eighth at the time, scooted clear. By the second windward mark, France (not in medal contention) was leading with the Swedes in second and eventual silver medalists Mathew Belcher and Malcolm Page (AUS) behind them. “We all did a jibe set,” said Ostling, “and we were focused on our position with Australia when suddenly they jibed away (to make sure they covered ISR), and we were glad. We managed to get a boost for boat lengths at the end and won.”

Dahlberg and Ostling competed here three years ago but admittedly were beginners trying to get experience. “Now we have a lot more confidence, for sure on the downwind legs,” said Ostling. “This is our first gold; it’s big for us, big for Sweden.” The duo is hoping that the same scenario might play out at the 2012 Games if they are fortunate enough to represent their country there. “In Beijing we were 15th, and with more experience, hopefully we can medal,” said Dahlberg.

More Information:
Miami OCR Website
Results - 470 Men
Results - 470 Women
Video
Gallery

Source: Marni Lane, US SAILING