US Sailing World Cup back in town this week

The US Sailing World Cup is in Coconut Grove this week for the 28th edition. Established in 1990 by US Sailing, Sailing World Cup Miami Presented by Sunbrella annually draws elite sailors, including Olympic and hopefuls from around the world. The regatta features high-level racing and often serves as a National Team or Olympic Team qualifier for many countries. The world cup will be here from January 24-29, 2017.

This photo is from last year's event, by Jesus Renedo/Sailing Energy/World Sailing.  Last year, more than 780 sailors were competing across ten Olympic and two Paralympic classes. 

On the first stop of World Sailing's 2017 World Cup Series in Miami, USA, a home nation favorite will make a return in an attempt to add to her already jam packed trophy cabinet. Two time Rolex World Sailor of the Year and Beijing 2008 Olympic gold medallist Anna Tunnicliffe will join 452 sailors in Regatta Park to take on the Laser Radial fleet with the experience of not only sailing, but of another determination and endurance filled sport behind her.


The men's Laser fleet also looks strong with the close training group of Rio 2016 silver medallist Tonci Stipanovic (CRO), 2016 Sailing World Cup Final winner Pavlos Kontides (CYP) and Ireland's youngest Olympic helmsman Finn Lynch not only taking on each other, but fierce competitors like Germany's Philipp Buhl who has won multiple Sailing World Cup titles and 2015 and 2016 Laser world champion, Nick Thompson (GBR).

Other young guns on the start line will be Spain's Jordi Xammar, who begins life with new crew Nicolas Rodríguez García-Paz and Austrian helm Nikolaus Kampelmühler who has teamed up with Olympian Florian Reichstädter.


The Finn fleet will feature 2016 World Cup Miami winner Jorge Zarif (BRA), 2016 World Cup Final winner Jake Lilley (AUS) and France's Fabian Pic who has ambitions of claiming the French #1 spot with Jonathan Lobert taking a break from sailing. Pic won a race at the 2016 Finn Gold Cup in Takapuna, New Zealand in a strong fleet last year so has shown signs that he is more than capable of carrying French hopes.

Miami’s newest waterfront public space, Regatta Park, welcomes anyone interested in watching the racing or learning more about the sport of sailing to come to Regatta Park and participate in this unique, spectator-friendly experience. The Fan Zone will be broadcasting live action from Biscayne Bay on a large video display in Regatta Park on Friday, January 27 through Sunday, January 29. On Saturday and Sunday, you can also catch the final rounds of racing for each class and the champions’ celebrations broadcasting live as they return to shore.

Ceremony at the water's edge in Coconut Grove. 

Photo by Carmen Hidalgo.