Kinsolving, U.S. in 12th Entering Fifth Race at Olympics

August 16, 2004

Former Bulldog Isabelle Kinsolving '02 and the U.S. sailing team are in 12th place after four of eleven races in the double-handed 470 at the Olympics. Kinsolving and skipper Katie McDowell finished third among the 20 teams in the first race on Sunday to make a move up in the standings. Greece leads with 18 total points after two days, while the U.S. has 43. Day one's two scheduled races were sailed in a moderate breeze of 6-11 knots from the southwest. The first race began with the U.S. having a good pin end start, but being forced to tack away from the favored end. Then, after gaining downwind, the team had to do a 720 after fouling the British at the leeward mark. After more good sailing in the final downwind and beat the U.S. ended up 12th, ahead of the defending champion Australia. The second race presented the team with tough conditions for passing and they finished 16th. Day two was sailed in difficult conditions, with 15-24 knot breezes and swells. The heavy air caused capsizes in both the men¹s and women¹s races, while the unpredictable shifts exacerbated the hard conditions. The U.S. team still had its best race yet, finishing third in Race 3. During the day¹s second race, in which eight teams capsized, the team found it difficult to keep up with the shifts, missing a big lefty on the first beat. They finished 12th despite blowing out their spinnaker on the final run. The competition continues through Saturday August 21.