Derick Vranizan had a solid first day at the Sailing World Cup Miami, one of the premier pitstops on the world’s high-end dinghy racing circuit. Derick is in 19th overall after yesterday’s racing and is the leading US sailor with finishes of 24, 21 in the 59-boat fleet. Hanne Weaver had a pair of 39ths in the Radial fleet.
Talia Toland appears to have stepped out of Radial and onto a Nacra 17 for the series, and Kate Shaner is competing in the 49erFX class. If any of you readers know of other PNW sailors there that I’m missing, please let me know.
I hope to get some on-the-scene reports from them before it’s all over. Racing continues through the week with medal races Friday, January 28. Our first mini-report comes from Talia Toland:
“I am sailing with Ian Andrewes, also a semi Seattle local. Kate Shaner is also sailing the 49er FX.
“I am not completely out of Lasers, just exploring some new classes!
“We’ve had a little bit of everything in Miami so far. Every direction and wind speed; too light to sail, too windy to sail and some perfect in between days. Sailing catamarans on the international level is a whole new game where everything happens faster and decisions need to be made quickly. We had some trouble starting on the first day but made some good tactical decisions and are looking forward to the rest of the racing!”
Thanks, Talia!
Results here.
And for those hearing about an Anna Tunnicliffe comeback, you’re going to have to wait. The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) couldn’t green-light her this soon. She hadn’t been tested in three years away from the sport – a technicality. But once the technicalities are cleared she plans on jumping back in a Radial by July. Yeah! The full explanation can be found on Scuttlebutt.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.