Former Sports Scholars Sophie Ainsworth and Sophie Weguelin

Alumnae success in Miami World Cup regatta

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) development squad sailors and former University sports scholars Sophie Weguelin and Sophie Ainsworth have claimed their first World Cup regatta success, joining GBR’s Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark on the 470 women’s podium at the recent Miami World Cup regatta.

The Rolex Miami OCR is the second leg of the 2011-12 ISAF Sailing World Cup series. Weguelin and Ainsworth picked up bronze thanks to an impressive win in the medal race on Saturday 28 January. 

Weguelin and Ainsworth are part of Mills and Clark’s training group in their quest for 2012 gold at the London Olympics and are relishing the experience.

“Hopefully the bronze here is the start of things to come,” said Weguelin. “It’s going to be quite a tough year this year, building up to the Games but we’ll just get as much experience as possible.  I think working with Hannah and Sas will be a fantastic learning opportunity for us, they’re really great sailors and we’ve got loads to gain but hopefully we’ll be able to give a bit as well and push them along.”

RYA Olympic Manager Stephen Park explained “Miami provided a great opportunity for some quality racing off the back of the Perth World Championships and before the European regatta season starts, which means the sailors have the chance to race hard and at the same time identify any areas for development to take away and work on during over the next few weeks and months, before they can next put them to the test in the next World Cup or World and European Championship competitions.”

Date: 7 February 2012