First day of racing for the 2015 Nacra 17 Worlds is Sunday July 5th. This is a huge event for the US teams for a couple of reasons.

1. The US still needs to gain a country berth for Rio

-Ideally, we would gain one of the three berths available in Aarhus. If not, lets hope Canada, Aruba, and Puerto Rico all qualify!


2. The results of these worlds have major implications on the US selection process for Rio.

- The selection events for the US team are the 2016 Miami World Cup and 2016 Worlds in Clearwater.

- Entries for Miami will likely be limited, and the results of the 2015 Worlds determine who gets spots at Miami. No Miami, no Olympics.

From the selection document:

"2. For the 2016 ISAF Sailing World Cup Miami, if limited entries are
enforced, MNAs will be awarded a certain number of spots according
to a system described in the Notice of Race. US Sailing will award
entries to its athletes using the following criteria:

The first two entries in each class will be awarded to the two highest
finishing athletes or teams at the 2015 class world championships.

If a third entry is available in a class, it will be awarded to the highest
finishing athletes or teams at the 2016 MLK Weekend Regattas at
Coconut Grove Sailing Center (470, 49er, 49er FX, Nacra 17, RS:X) and
Lauderdale Yacht Club (Finn, Laser, Laser Radial) January 16-18, 2016.

If a fourth entry is available in a class, it will be awarded to the third
highest finishing athletes or teams at the 2015 class world
championships...."

US entries:
Mark Mendelblatt United States USA027 Carolina Mendelblatt
Sarah Newberry United States USA278 Matthew Whitehead
Michael Easton United States USA 234 Katie Pettibone
Steph Hudson United States USA123 Evan Aras
John Casey United States USA204 Kristen Lane