Road to Olympics comes to Miami

More than 400 boats and close to 600 of the world’s best small-boat sailors are scheduled to converge in Florida for a crucial way point on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The 2018 World Cup Series Miami USA (#WCSMiami2018) on January 23 to 28 is the second of four events in World Sailing’s 2018 World Cup Series and the only North American stop on the tour, which started in Japan last fall and will finish this summer in Europe.

For sailors with medal aspirations in the next Olympic regatta, the 2018 World Cup Series Miami USA is an ideal time to measure where they stand against the world field and also get a read on the pecking order within their respective countries.

For the hometown US Sailing Team, the 2018 World Cup Series Miami USA will serve a variety of purposes. Talented young sailors with Olympic dreams will use it to dip a toe into the rarefied air of Olympic-level competition. At the other end of the spectrum are Olympic veterans who will be honing their skills in advance of a final push toward the U.S. Olympic berth in their respective classes.

With a three-decade track record of diverse international entry lists and top-flight competition, the regatta has locked onto a winning formula on the water. This year, the event will expand its shore-side presence with a two-day World Cup Series Festival on Saturday and Sunday, January 27 and 28, in Coconut Grove’s idyllic Regatta Park.

A Jumbotron will show live broadcasts of each Medal Race and the Medal Ceremonies will be held once the athletes reach shore enabling everyone to feel a part of the celebration. Food trucks will keep everyone fed and a US Sailing Education Zone will engage sailors and non-sailors of all ages in numerous fun and education activities designed to better connect people with our marine environment.

Event details – Entry list – Tracking – Facebook

The format for each Olympic event will be an opening series with the top ten advancing to the medal competition.

Saturday (Jan 27) Medal Races – RS:X, 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17

Sunday (Jan 28) Medal Races – 470, Finn, Laser, Laser Radial

The World Cup Series is an annual circuit of Olympic sailing for elite and professional sailors, and a key touchpoint for fans and media to connect to the sport of sailing and develop support for athletes on their road to Tokyo 2020 and beyond. Over 2,000 of the world’s leading sailors, representing 75 nations, have competed in the World Cup Series since its inception in 2008.

2017/2018 World Cup Series
October 17-22, 2017 – World Cup Series #1 – Gamagori, Japan
January 21-28, 2018 – World Cup Series #2 – Miami, USA
April 22-29, 2018 – World Cup Series #3 – Hyères, France
June 3-10, 2018 – World Cup Series Final – Marseille, France

Source: US Sailing