Beulah Ladies Gain Experience @ OCR

Anne Haeger and Stephanie Hudson competed in US SAILING's 2009 Rolex Miami Olympic Class Regatta (OCR) in January 2009.  Haeger returned to this event in the Laser Radial while Hudson and her crew, with Rebecca King, competed in their first OCR in the 470 class. Anne and Stephanie finished 10^th and 7^th in their respective fleets.  Both competed in the medal races.  Radials were won by Anna Tunnicliffe of the United States.  470s were won Henriette Koch and Lene Sommer of Denmark.  Click here for final results.     Hudson 470 Photo Video Haeger Laser Radial Videos

According to US SAILING, "This is a record turnout for a year that directly follows one in which the Olympic and Paralympic Games were held. Some 323 boats have registered, which is 100-plus more than 2005 (217 boats) and more than double 2001’s numbers (155 boats). In addition, 436 sailors have registered from 41 countries, compared with 25 in 2005 and 14 in 2001."  Also competing from the ILYA are 2008 Paralympic Bronze Medalist John Ruf of Pewaukee, and Erik Bowers, Dan Morris & Gavin Potts of Lake Minnetonka.

In the Radial class, Anne will be challenging 41 other women including US SAILING's 2008 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and Olympic Gold Medalist Anna Tunnicliffe. Also competing are 2006 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Paige Railey (Clearwater, Fla.), Emily Billing, Claire Dennis, and Sara Lihan who finished third at the USA Olympic Trials.

In 470s, the USA is represented by 2008 470 World Champion Erin Maxwell, 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist Allison Jolly, Molly Carapiet, and Sara Fox in addition to Hudson.  Other top names include Henriette Koch of Denmark and Sylvia Vogl of Austria.  Vogl is presently ranked seventh in the world by ISAF and finished eighth at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.  Koch is ranked 18th in the world.