Rolex Miami OCR Sailing event in town this week

US Sailing's Rolex Miami OCR is back in Coconut Grove this week. Ground Zero is the US Sailing Center in Coconut Grove where 716 sailors will pass through this time around. Sailing starts today.

The six-day event hosts the world's top sailing athletes for competition in 13 classes selected for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Rolex Miami OCR is the second stop on the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Sailing World Cup 2010-2011 circuit.

“There are 53 countries represented here,” said US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics Coach Luther Carpenter as he made his rounds yesterday, “and the fleets are extremely deep with talent. If someone feels like they have a good chance to finish top-four in every race, then that usually means not all of the top players are here; I don’t think there is any sailor thinking that way.”

The US has the largest group of sailors with 197, Canada, Great Britain and Italy have 97, 39 and 36 respectively. You'll probably see the sailors and their families all around the Grove this week as they enjoy what the Grove has to offer. Sail the Grove is heavily involved with promoting the Grove through specials at restaurants, bars and stores in the Center Grove. They also offer fun things for the sailors and their families to do between sailing.

US Sailing has partnered with the City of Miami to provide world-class venues for competition. Additional hosts for the event include Coral Reef Yacht Club, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Miami Rowing Club and Shake-a-Leg Miami. These sailing organizations host classes onshore, as well as help run the on-the-water racing. The Coral Reef Yacht Club also hosts the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.