The 2023 Panamerican Games, taking place in Santiago, Chile, are more than just a gathering of talented athletes from across the American continent. Among the various competitions, the Nacra 17 sailing event has emerged as a captivating showdown that has captured the attention of sailing enthusiasts and sports fans alike. The competition, which kicked off on October 29th, features Nacra 17 teams from North and South America battling it out for glory, medals, and a coveted ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Nacra 17 sailing event promises to be a thrilling spectacle with 12 opening series races, culminating in a high-stakes medal race on November 4th. For many countries, this event is a historic opportunity to win a medal that will be cherished by the nation. However, it carries even greater significance because it represents a chance to secure a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Olympic qualification for the Nacra 17 class will grant two coveted spots, one for North America and one for South America. The pressure to secure these spots is immense, making the competition intense and high-stakes. As of now, Argentina is the only country that has successfully qualified for the Paris Olympics in the Nacra 17 fleet that is in Chile. The Argentine duo of Mateo Majdalani and Eugenia Bosco has been turning heads with their incredible performance, winning every single race so far. With the burden of Olympic qualification off their shoulders, their primary goal is to bring home the gold medal for Argentina. Eugenia Bosco emphasized that they are also using this event as an opportunity to practice small fleet racing, showcasing their determination to excel in every aspect of their sport.
However, for all the other participating countries, the journey to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics is still very much in progress. The competition is fierce, with the United States, represented by Sarah Newberry Moore and David Liebenberg, putting on a strong performance and holding the second place with equal points to Brazil. The Brazilian sailors, Samuel Reis Albrecht and Gabriela Nicolino de Sa, have been a standout surprise, considering they haven’t participated in many international regattas and competitions since Tokyo. Their consistent racing and impressive scores have propelled them into the top ranks, giving them a significant edge over their South American rivals, Chile, in the battle for the Southern American Olympic qualification spot. For Brazil, securing the best possible medal is an equally compelling motivation as securing the Olympic ticket.
Watch their interview on Day 3: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzEqgNROUy5/?hl=en
The competition is far from over, and with several days of racing still to come, the leaderboard may witness some dramatic shifts. Nonetheless, as it currently stands, the United States and Brazil appear to be in the driver’s seat for Olympic qualification.
For those eager to witness the thrilling Nacra 17 sailing action at the 2023 Panamerican Games, the event is live-streamed on the Panam Sports channel, and you can stay updated on the results here.
Furthermore, a GPS tracker is available here for those who want to follow the race in real-time, adding an extra layer of excitement for fans and enthusiasts alike.
In the coming days, the stakes will only get higher as these talented sailors from across the Americas continue to battle it out on the waves. The 2023 Panamerican Games’ Nacra 17 sailing event is not just a race for medals but a pursuit of Olympic dreams, and the drama unfolding on the water promises to keep us all at the edge of our seats.
