Miami Olympic Classes Regatta Overall British Report

WALKER AND COVELL FIFTH IN MIAMI BUT FIRST IN STAR CLASS TRIALS

World Class Performance sailors Ian Walker and Mark Covell, sailing United Airlines, are only one event away from being nominated as Great Britain's Star class representatives for the Sydney Olympic Games in September.

Having finished third overall in the Bob Levin Memorial Regatta in Miami earlier this month and then fifth overall at the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, which ended yesterday, the final selection event (the Biscayne Bay Trophy in three weeks) is essentially a formality. They have not been beaten over nine races (from the first two events) by either of the other two competing British Star crews led by Stuart Hudson and Michael Hicks.

"This has been a good trials series with all three British entries trying to sail the best they could as opposed to focusing on each other," commented RYA Olympic Manager John Derbyshire. "This has enabled the British fleet to continue to move forwards in their quest for a medal in Sydney. All the competitors have recognised that time is short, with many of the worlds top Star sailors having sailed the boats for more years than Walker and Covell have months. Stuart Hudson and Chris Gowers thirteenth overall would normally be considered a solid result but Walker and Covell have shown that they can mix it with the best in the world".

With the final days racing (day four) on Saturday abandoned at 13.15 hrs local time due to a lack of breeze, the overall results stood from Friday (day three), when the fleet were treated to superb racing conditions of a steady 12-16 knot breeze and choppy seas which created some very tight racing conditions.

"We fought hard to get a 5,7,8 which leaves us in fifth overall, but with a far better discard than our rivals" commented Walker on Friday evening. Although staying in fifth their consolation will be that they have virtually sealed the Star class slot for Sydney.

At the head of the fleet Marc Pickel and Thomas Auracher (Germany), ranked eighth in the world, beat 1996 Olympic Bronze Medallists and former World Champions Colin Beashel and David Giles (Australia) back into second.

Meanwhile, RYA Team GBR's European Match Racing Championships Andy Beadsworth (from Titchfield in Hampshire), Barry Parkin (Windlesham in Surrey) and Richard Sydenham (Hamble in Hampshire) won the Soling class contest, building up such an unassailable lead in the second round robin they could have lost the final two matches (if the weather had allowed them to complete series) and they still would have secured the title.

"Overall it was a good performance from the team," commented Beadsworth. "We had good speed, good boat handling and good strategy. We made a couple of mistakes, which we paid for by loosing two races. Our speed and heavy air boat handling needs more work to compliment our lighter air performance."

FLORIDA: Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (after day four):

Star class (after races 6 races, 1 discard):
 1, Marc Pickel and Thomas Auracher (Ger) 2,2,26,1,4,2  -  11pts 
 2, Colin Beashel and David Giles   (Aus) DNC,8,7,2,1,4 -  22pts
 3, Ross McDonald and Kai Bjorn     (Can) 8,7,12,3,2,3  -  23pts
British Placings:
 5, Ian Walker and Mark Covell      - 9,13,1,5,7,8      -  30pts
13, Stuart Hudson and Chris Gowers  - 17,16,17,24,13,14 -  77pts
24, Michael Hicks and David Munge   - 34,28,3,23,23,30  - 107pts

Soling class (after two round robins):
1, Andy Beadsworth and Barry Parkin and Richard Sydenham (GBR) 14  pts
2, Hans Wallen and Johan Barne and Magnus Auguston       (Swe) 12.5pts
3, Jeff Madrigali and Craig Healy and Jordan Hartwell    (USA) 11.5pts

For further press information please contact Nigel Cherrie on:
Email: nigel.cherrie@rya.org.uk
Miami Olympic Classes Regatta website: www.ussailing.org/News/mocr00

RYA Team GBR sponsors:
World Class Performance: www.uksport.gov.uk
Sail for Gold: www.sailforgold.co.uk
Chernikeeff: www.chernikeeff.co.uk
Douglas Gill: www.douglasgill.com