8:30 PM Wed 29 Oct 2008 GMT
 | | 'Damien SEGUIN, FRA 13, 2.4 Class - Rolex Miami OCR 2008'
© Rolex/Dan Nerney
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US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR is preparing for its 2009 debut as the second stop on the inaugural International Sailing Federation's (ISAF) Sailing World Cup 2008-2009 circuit.
Already a long-time ISAF Grade 1 world ranking event as well as a US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics qualifier and preferred winter training regatta for the world's elite Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, the Rolex Miami OCR also will celebrate its 20th Anniversary when it returns to Coconut Grove, Fla., from January 25-31, 2009. The Notice of Race is now available online at the newly-launched event web site, www.RolexMiamiOCR.org.
US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR is open to the events chosen for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions. The equipment used for each event will be chosen at the 2008 ISAF Annual Conference in Madrid, Spain from November 6-16, 2008. Starting December 1, 2008, competitors and coaches will be required to register online for the Rolex Miami OCR. The deadline for registration is January 19, 2009, and on-site registration will not be available.
Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.), who won an Olympic Gold Medal in the Laser Radial class, a silver medal at last  | Leaders running downwind - Laser Radials Miami OCR 2008 - © Rolex/Dan Nerney |
year's 2008 Rolex Miami OCR and is currently ranked number one in the ISAF World Rankings, is excited to return to Miami to compete in this competitive event. 'I'm looking forward to getting back in the boat,' said Tunnicliffe, after a September victory in Sonars at US SAILING's U.S. Women's Match Racing Championship, followed by a second-place finish at the Snipe Women's Worlds. 'I haven't been in the Laser Radial since the Olympics.'
While the Rolex Miami OCR has typically seen some downturn in participation after an Olympic/Paralympic year, Tunnicliffe believes 2009 will show an impressive turnout. 'This (ISAF circuit) is a good incentive to get people to continue on (with their Olympic and Paralympic campaigns) straight away,' she said, adding that the World Cup schedule would be the foundation for her regatta training as she pursues a repeat berth at the 2012 Olympics.
The ISAF Sailing World Cup 2008-2009 consists of the following events:
16-21 Dec 2008 - Sail Melbourne Regatta, Melbourne, Australia
25-31 Jan 2009 - Rolex Miami OCR, Miami, USA
04-10 April 2009 - Trofeo SAR Princess Sofia MAPFRE, Palma, Spain
18-24 April 2009 - Semaine Olympique Francaise, Hyeres, France
27-31 May 2009 - Delta Lloyd Regatta, Medemblik, Netherlands
21-29 June 2009 - Kieler Woche, Kiel, Germany
14-19 Sept 2009 - Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta, Weymouth, Great Britain
In line with ISAF's philosophy for the World Cup, the Rolex Miami OCR strives to create the best competition for Olympic and Paralympic sailors, with reviews of the event each year to ensure it exceeds the expectations of all who participate.
'We are excited to be a part of the World Cup,' said US SAILING Olympic Director Katie Kelly. 'And with our long-time support from Rolex and other US SAILING sponsors, we know that we can bring something special to ISAF's plate as well.' (Rolex is a partner of ISAF as well.)
 | Sally BARKOW, Carrie HOWE and Debbie CAPOZZI, USA competing in the Medal race at Rolex Miami OCR - © Rolex/Dan Nerney |
About the Rolex Miami OCR
Established in 1990 by US SAILING, the Rolex Miami OCR annually draws elite sailors, including Olympic and Paralympic medalists and hopefuls from around the world. In non-Olympic/Paralympic years, the regatta is especially important as a ranking regatta for sailors hoping to qualify for the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, which annually distinguishes the top three sailors in each Olympic and Paralympic class. The 2009 Rolex Miami OCR consists of five days of fleet racing from Monday, January 26 through Friday, January 30, and one day of top-ten medal racing (for Olympic classes only) on Saturday, January 31.
For complete and up-to-the-minute regatta information and resources, including the Notice of Race, entry list, online registration, schedule, hosts and area information, please visit: www.RolexMiamiOCR.org
About Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America's Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including supporting the US Sailing Team, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design and women's events. In 2009, Rolex will sponsor over 20 prestigious yachting events globally, including the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex Big Boat Series (also serving as the US-IRC Rolex National Championship), Rolex Capri Sailing Week, Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship, Rolex Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race and Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex.
About US SAILING
The Rolex Miami OCR is organized by US SAILING, national governing body of the sport. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, the organization provides leadership for the sport of sailing in the United States. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
by Barby MacGowan
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Double Is Pt, QLD
