November 4, 2023
4 minutes reading time
ALGARROBO, CHILE - NOV 3. ALGARROBO, CHILE - NOV 3. Hernan Ricardo Umpierre Odini y Fernando Diz BecerraÊde Uruguay compiten en la categoria Skiff 49er Masculino de la regata final durante los Juegos Panamericanos Santiago 2023 en Playa Algarrobo Norte / Playa El Quisco / Hernan Ricardo Umpierre Odini y Fernando Diz BecerraÊfrom Uruguay compete in the Men's Skiff 49er class the medal race during the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games at Playa Algarrobo Norte / Playa El Quisco. (Foto de Matias Capizzano/Santiago 2023 via Photosport)
Six champions crowned on first day of Medal races at Pan American Games 2023
The first of two Medal race days saw champions crowned in six Olympic class fleets. In moderate afternoon breeze racing got underway in both Algarrobo and Quisco Bay.
In the final 49er medal race, the USA and Uruguay battled it out for gold at the front of the fleet. The USA team of Ian Barrows and Hans Henken covered Uruguay on the first upwind and stayed ahead to take the gold medal.
Hans said, “It feels amazing to win gold. There has been a lot of hard work put in with our team and to pull it off and take away a gold medal is a fantastic feeling.”
Ian added, “It’s pretty incredible to be on the podium and hear your national anthem. We’re incredibly excited to be here and win the gold medal. This is a stepping stone for us to the Olympic Games and we hope to be on the podium there as well.”
Justin Barnes said, “Feels good after a battle all week with our Mexican friends and that kept it very close until the end. It was a very exciting week. Going into this event the real prize for us was Olympic qualification for Canada so, as well as the medal, this means a lot.”
Will Jones added, “They sailed super well and it came down to the final race. Luckily we were in a strong position going in, slightly ahead, and we managed to keep control. We had to keep a boat between us and give them a hard time so they didn’t have the chance to catch up. Thankfully we were able to do that.”
Canadians Alexandra Grace Ten Hove and Mariah Alice Jane Millen also continued their national success in securing a silver medal and the 49erFX nation spot for North America. While Martine Soffiatti Grael and Kahena Kunze from Brazil won the medal race, giving them their second gold at the Pan Am Games.
Kahena commented, “Getting a spot here was our first goal, so we had a feeling we were ahead but on the last day we realised how close it was. Whoever won on the last day would win the medals.”
Martine added, “It was a superb tight battle with the other girls. I think that makes the medal more special. We did a great job keeping two points ahead but in the end, whoever wins would take it all. We were improving every day.”
In a tense three rider final, ARU, USA and BRA charged over the start line in the iQFOiL Men’s final. During the race each rider took turns leading. Mateus Ghannam Isaac BRA emerged victorious took the Medal series final race win.
He said, “It’s amazing. It was a hard week for me, I didn’t perform well in the beginning of the event, but I knew everything would come down to the last day. It was really tough between me, Noah (Lyons, USA) and Ethan (Westera, ARU), especially the final race. I was first, second and third, at various points in the race, and so were they. We fought until the end. My coach said to give everything I have, and everything will be okay, and that’s what we did. I fought like crazy, and I won it, so I am really, really happy.”
The dominant performance throughout the week by Mariana Aguilar Chavez Peon in the iQFOiL Women class, continued in the Medal series where in the final she took the win sealing the gold medal.
After claiming silver, Tiger Tyson commented, “This was our windiest day of the competition. Going into racing the nerves were very high; the entire week has been quite stressful. Every day was a fight and we gave absolutely everything. It came down to the last race. I’m amazingly happy right now with silver, but more importantly the Olympic qualification spot for Antigua. It has been so many years to achieve qualification, and to finally get there is one of the biggest steps for us.”
Daniela said, “Going to a games like this is always a really cool experience. Especially at the end of a tough week, to be at the top of the podium and hear your national anthem is a really cool moment. It makes me want to work really hard towards Paris and have the same experience there.”
How to follow the event:
EVENT WEBSITE
Click here for further information on the Pan American Games Sailing Competition.
LIVE TRACKING & RESULTS
Click here for live tracking and here for official results.
PHOTOGRAPHY
For Images from the event, click here.
WATCH LIVE
Live streamed races and medal races will be available here.