Much Anticipated Star Trials Start Tomorrow

Under the experienced eye of Olympic Games and international Star class measurer John KOOPMAN, the process of measurement is well underway for the twenty-two teams of Star sailors gathered here for one of the year’s most anticipated contests.

Many of the competitors have been living and training in Florida for much of the winter, working out the bugs and trying new gear during several lead up events including the Rolex Miami OCR in January, and the Bacardi Cup, which concluded only a few days ago. With tomorrow the final day of measurement, the atmosphere is anything but relaxed, in spite of the bright sunshine and warm breezes that would make the normal sailor jump for joy.

The planned 16-race series begins Saturday 20 March, and will continue until Sunday 28 March, with a mandatory layday on Wednesday 24 March. The format for the U.S. Trials, with two races scheduled each day, is designed to replicate the Olympic Games as closely as possible.

At the conclusion of racing, the winners will be named to the 2004 Olympic Team that will represent the U.S.A. in Athens, in August, at the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad.

A list of competitors,bios and results (as they become available, starting March 20) is available on the event website at the address below.