CAYARD/HAENEL QUALIFY U.S. STAR BERTH TO 2004 OLYMPIC REGATTA

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (September 4, 2002) – Competitors representing twenty-five nations were on hand last month for the 80th world championship of the oldest Olympic class boat – the Star. The Nautica 2002 Star World Championship attracted 103 boats to the waters of Santa Monica Bay and offered an added bonus to top performers – the top-five finishing nations would secure their country a place at the 2004 Olympic Regatta. The strength of the U.S. competitors was evident with six teams placing top-20 in the final standings. As the top U.S. finishers, California’s Paul Cayard (San
Francisco) and Hal Haenel (Los Angeles) secured the U.S. its Olympic berth by finishing fourth overall. Following closely in fifth place was Rick Merriman with Bill Bennett (both San Diego, Calif.). Mark Reynolds (San
Diego) and Magnus Liljedahl (Miami, Fla.) placed ninth, and Howie Shiebler (San Francisco, Calif.) with Rick Peters (San Diego) were 10th. Complete results can be found at: www.starworlds2002.com.

All nations, with the exception of host country Greece, must qualify for entry in each class at the Olympic Regatta, scheduled for August 13-29, 2004, in Athens, Greece. The qualification process is a result of entry limits set by the International Olympic Committee and ISAF that specify no more than 400 total athletes in sailing, along with other restrictions. In 2002 the world championships of each class will qualify 35% of their entry quota, with 45% qualifying in 2003, and 20% in 2004. The nine classes (11
divisions) chosen for the 2004 Olympic competition are: Europe (women); Finn (men); 470 (men and women); Laser (open); Mistral (men and women); 49er, Star, Tornado (all open); and Yngling (women)