U.S. Qualifies for Yngling Berth at 2004 Olympic Regatta Alison, Icyda and Leech Capture Bronze at Worlds

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (August 2, 2002) – For the U.S. Yngling team of Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.), Lee Icyda (Stuart, Fla.) and Suzy Leech (Avon, Conn.), the fringe benefit of winning the women's bronze medal at the recent 2002 Yngling World Championship almost outweighed the significance of the performance itself. By finishing in the top five, the trio secured the U.S. its first berth at the 2004 Olympic Regatta. The event, held July 22-26 on Lake Lucerne (Brunnen, Switzerland), attracted 46 teams representing 16 nations -- more than double the women's teams in the 2001 fleet.

The competitors sailed only seven races during the five-day event, as two days of racing were lost due to light breeze. With four American teams competing, Alison/Icyda/Leech held a strong lead for most of the regatta. On the last day, however, they faced tricky conditions posting a disappointing 20th and 33rd in the final two races. With the shortened series, they were able to discard only one bad race.

Finishing sixth overall at the Yngling Worlds were Jody Swanson (Buffalo,
N.Y.) with crew Cory Sertl (Rochester, N.Y.) and Pease Glaser (Long Beach, Calif.). Hannah Swett (Jamestown, R.I./New York, N.Y.), with Melissa Purdy (Tiburon, Calif.) and Joan Touchette (Newport, R.I.), finished seventh, while Carol Cronin (Jamestown, R.I.) with Liz Filter (Stevensville, Md.) and Kate Fears (Key West, Fla.) followed in eighth.

Although Alison, Icyda and Leech qualified the U.S.A., they may not be the country's ultimate representatives for the Yngling class at the Olympics. In sailing, the "winner takes all" at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials; only the first-place finisher in each event earns a coveted spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Sailing Team.

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 the International Sailing Federation that specify no more than 400 total athletes in sailing, along with other restrictions. Starting this year, the world championships of each class will qualify their entry quota as follows: 35% in 2002, 45% in 2003, and 20% in 2004. For 2004, the nine classes (11 divisions) chosen for 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).