11 Olympic places up for grabs at 2023 Pan American Games

Some 169 sailors from 27 countries will take to the waters of Algarrobo bay and Quisco Bay, competing from 28 October to 5 November.

The 13 classes include nine Olympic classes: men’s and women’s iQFOiL, 49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, ILCA 6 and 7 and men’s and women’s Formula Kite. At stake are 11 qualification spots for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next year.

Previous Olympic champions are amongst the fleets. Brazilian pair Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze in the 49erFX are veterans of the circuit with two Olympic golds and multiple World Championships to their name.

There are those also hoping to be the first for their country. Scarlett Hadley is the first to compete at the Pan Am Games in sailing from her homeland of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Also arriving three weeks ago to train, Luc Chevrier from St Lucia has put in the hours in the ILCA 7 to familiarise himself with the conditions.

He said, “There are two spots there for North America to qualify for the Olympics. So that’s the main goal at the moment to qualify my country.

“Right now, we have a bit of light wind, but during my training we did get some big swell, that’s a key condition around here, big waves.”

Success also spreads ashore with former Olympian Andrew Lewis now coaching the Canadian team. The Trinidadian sailor attended the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games and now will be looking to share his experience with the squad.

Sailors from World Sailing’s Youth Emerging Nations Program also feature in the line-up. ILCA 6 sailor Florencia Chiarella Salas from Peru won the 2021 Youth Sailing World Championships in Oman. Clemente Germán Seguel Lacámara of Chile will also be hoping to perform on his home waters in the ILCA 7.

Pan American Sailing Federation President, Fred Hagedorn said, “Algarrobo as a venue is phenomenal, when you get out on to the water, it will be exceedingly varied.

“So they’ll have a lot of conditions. The biggest challenge for all these athletes will be the temperature of the water.”

Racing commences from 1300 local time on 28 October. Follow World Sailing’s social media for daily updates on the competition and Santiago 2023 for live coverage from the racecourse.