Saturday, october 28nd, 2023.- With north winds ranging from 6 to 12 knots, the first day of Pan American sailing took place at Playa Algarrobo and Playa El Quisco, featuring the debut of Formula Kite (male and female), Sunfish (male and female), Windsurfing, IQ Foil (male and female), ILCA 7, ILCA 6, and 49er (male and female).

Despite the choppy seas and the prevailing cold weather on the central coast, the complete race program was carried out.

The top Chilean performers on the opening day were Diego González in Sunfish, leading his class with five points (4-1), and María José Poncell, who is second in the same category with 4 points (2-2). Peru leads the fleet with 2 points (1-1).

In the Laser class, Puerto Rican sailor Pedro Fernández dominates the competition with four points (1-3), followed by Brazil's Bruno Fontes with 6 points (5-1), and third is Juan Ignacio Maegli, from the Independent Athletes Team, a triple Pan American gold medalist with 9 points (5-4).

The Formula Kite, the only discipline held on the shores of Playa El Quisco, was marked by the strong swell and the sail maneuvering complexity. "Strong north winds and very high waves made the races somewhat challenging," commented Lizeth Loaiza Rojas from Colombia.

The female category is currently led by Argentina's María Turinzo with 6 points (2-2-1-1), while in the male category, the leader is Bruno Chaves from Brazil with 13 points (1-1-1-10).

Other results:

ILCA 6 (2 races): 1) Erika Reinneke from the United States, 3 points (2-1).
FX (3 races): 1) Martine Soffiati and Grael Martine from Brazil, with 5 points (3-1-1).
IQ Foil male (4 races): 1) Ethan Westera from Aruba, 5 points (2-1-1-1).
IQ Foil female (4 races): 1) Mariana Aguilar, Mexico, 6 points (3-1-1-1).

On Sunday, three classes will make their debut: Nacra, Snipe, and Lightning.

Written by Esteban Gómez-Rodrigo Parragué; translated by Rocio Rojas / Photosport
Photo by Matias Capizzano Santiago 2023 / Photosport