US SAILING's 2009 Rolex Miami OCR Online Registration Open
Miami hosts 20th anniversary Rolex OCR in January 2009

Posted Thursday, December 11, 2008

 
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From January 25 - 31, 2009 US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR returns to the waters of Biscayne Bay, bringing together the world's top Olympic and Paralympic class competitors. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2009, US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR is a mainstay on the winter circuit for sailors who are campaigning for the next Olympic and Paralympic Games. The event is part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup, a new world-class annual series for Olympic sailing.

US SAILING's 2009 Rolex Miami OCR is open to the classes chosen by ISAF for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions, except for the equipment used for women’s match racing. In November 2008, ISAF announced that the three-person Elliott 6 will be equipment used for the Women’s Match Racing Event for the 2012 Olympic Games, replacing Women’s Fleet Racing. Because that boat is not available in time for US SAILING’s Rolex Miami OCR, the regatta will use the SB3 Laser Standard with an asymmetrical spinnaker.

All competitors and coaches must register online before January 19, 2009, as there will be no on-site registration. Women’s match racing teams have an earlier deadline of December 16, 2008. The 2009 event, scheduled for Sunday, January 25 through Saturday, January 31, with racing beginning on Monday, is one of seven events chosen by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) for the inaugural ISAF Sailing World Cup.

Classes to Compete
US SAILING's 2009 Rolex Miami OCR is open to the classes chosen by ISAF for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Competitions, except for the equipment used for women’s match racing. Last month, ISAF announced that the three-person Elliott 6 will be equipment used for the Women’s Match Racing Event for the 2012 Olympic Games, replacing Women’s Fleet Racing. Because that boat is not available in time for US SAILING’s Rolex Miami OCR, the regatta will use the SB3 Laser Standard with an asymmetrical spinnaker.

Therefore, the 11 Olympic classes competing at the Rolex Miami OCR are: Laser Radial, Laser, Finn, RS:X Men, RS:X Women, 49ers, 470 Men, 470 Women, Star and SB3 Laser Standard with asymmetrical spinnaker. The three Paralympic classes are: 2.4mR, SKUD-18 and Sonar.

US SAILING’s 2009 Rolex Miami OCR will also be the only ranking regatta for American athletes who aspire to make the 2009 US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics and US Disabled Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. Based solely on the results at this regatta, US SAILING will recognize the top three boats in each class for both teams.

Special Registration for Women’s Match Racing
All women’s match racing teams or Member National Authorities (MNAs) must indicate their interest by registering before December 16, 2008. After assessing the number of entries for women’s match racing, the organizing committee will announce the accepted teams on December 18, 2008. They will also include any additional competition instructions for women’s match racing teams.

For all other classes, registration closes on January 19, 2009. Please visit www.RolexMiamiOCR.org for the amended Notice of Race.

About US SAILING’s 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 Rolex US-IRC 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
US SAILING’s 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.