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US Sailing Open Sailing Series Qualifies Sailors for World Events

The three-regatta Florida/winter portion of the US Open Sailing Series wrapped up in Clearwater last Sunday, February 5, with 200 athletes representing 30 countries and territories participating. Regatta conditions varied wildly. Thursday was too light for most classes to race. Friday’s gusts over 30 knots kept competitors ashore. Perfect weather on the final two days allowed for several quality races.

For Americans, it was the final qualifier for the 2023 Olympic Test Event in Marseille on July 7-16; the 2023 Sailing World Championships in the Hague on August 10-20; and the 2023 Pan American Games near Santiago, Chile, on October 25-November 5.

Top Finishers from the West Coast

Newly minted as the 2022 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, Bay Area Formula Kite phenom Daniela Moroz took first place in the Women’s Formula Kite with 11 points over eight races. Marcus Erdegan scored second place in the Men’s Formula Kite. Moroz and Erdegan are both St. Francis Yacht Club members.

Paul Cayard and Daniela Moroz
Executive director of US Olympic Sailing Paul Cayard looks on as Daniela Moroz takes her turn on the prize podium. Both are San Francisco Bay sailors.
© 2023 Lexi Pline / US Sailing

American teams swept the 49er podium this year, with US Sailing Team athletes Ian Barrows and Hans Henken finishing first, securing USA selection for the 2023 Pan Am Games and Olympic Test Event. A San Francisco native, Henken has a master’s degree from Stanford and also sails for StFYC. Training partners Nevin Snow of San Diego and Mac Agnese came in second.

49er fleet start
A start in the 49er skiff fleet on Sunday.
© 2023 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Allison Chenard / US Sailing

Other US sailors from the western states on the prize podium included Hawaiian Danicka Sailer. She placed third in women’s iQFOiL windsurfing. Kyra Phelan, a young college student from Santa Cruz, and Sawyer Bastian of San Jose placed third in the Mixed 470 sailing. Congratulations to all the top finishers! See the complete results here.

Sawyer Bastion and Kyra Phelan on a 420.
Sawyer Bastion and Kyra Phelan sailed in the Mixed (coed) 470 fleet.
© 2023 Allison Chenard / US Sailing

What’s Next?

The US has qualified for the nine Olympic classes that will be represented at the Pan Am Games (which do not include the 470), plus the Snipe and Lightning. Country qualification events for the men’s and women’s Sunfish will begin in March to complete the Pan Am sailing slate. 

The US Open Sailing Series will pick back up this summer in San Diego (June 16-18), Long Beach (July 14-16) and San Francisco (August 12-14). Registration isn’t open yet, but when it is, you’ll find it here.

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