Online Registration Open for 2009 Rolex Miami OCR

December 02, 2008

Mandatory, online registration for US SAILING's 2009 Rolex Miami OCR has opened at the event web site www.rolexmiamiocr.org. 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.

Start, 2.4 Class

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 interested 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.

About US SAILING

US SAILING's Rolex Miami OCR is organized by US SAILING, national governing body of the sport. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org

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