Friday, November 3rd, 2023.- Sailing crowned its first winners at the 2023 Pan American Games on the penultimate day at Playa Algarrobo, awarding 18 medals, with the first six classes completing their races.

The United States, represented by Ian Barrows and Hans Henken, claimed victory in the 49er class, which was the first to finish the medal race. Uruguay, with Hernán Umpierre and Fernando Diz, secured the silver, while the bronze went to Canada, with William Jones and Justin Barnes.

The top two pairs also qualified for Paris 2024.

Brazil, on the other hand, took home the gold in the FX category. The two-time Olympic champions at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze, also earned their tickets to Paris. Silver went to Canada, with Alexandra Ten Hove and Mariah Millen, who also secured their spot for the North, Central America, and Caribbean (NACC) region. The bronze was claimed by the Americans, Stephanie Roble and Margaret Shea, who were already qualified for the Olympic event.

At Playa El Batro in El Quisco, Brazilian Bruno Chaves emerged victorious in the Formula Kite, while Tiger Tyson from the Antilles secured the silver and both earned their spots in the Paris event. Argentinian Raúl Aguilar finished third and took home the bronze.

In the female's Kite category, the United States won the gold, Argentina secured their second silver of the day and their second Olympic qualification, and the bronze went to Brazil's María Vasconcellos.

In the IQ FOIL female category, Mexican Mariana Aguilar came out on top and, as she had already secured her place in Paris 2024, she passed her qualification to the second-place finisher and silver medalist, Peru's Belén Bazo, and to the bronze medalist, Mexico's Denisse Vela.

Meanwhile, In the IQ FOIL male category, Ethan Westera from Aruba took the top spot, followed by Brazil's Isaac Granham. Noha Lyons from the USA came in third.

Today, the Snipe and Lightning regional classes completed their qualifying schedules with the last two races.

Tomorrow, the competition concludes with medal races and Olympic spots on the line for the ILCA 7, ILCA 6, Nacra 17 mixed, and the regional classes of Snipe, Sunfish, and Lightning.

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