Racing is under way at the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta, held on the waters of LA Harbour that will host the 2028 Olympic Games, and the nearly 200 sailors from 34 countries are treating it as far more than a warm-up.
Thirty-five Olympians are among the starters, including six athletes who collectively hold eight Olympic medals: two gold, two silver, and four bronze. Competition spans the ILCA 6, ILCA 7, and 470 classes across a six-day programme.
Korea's Ha Jeemin, a five-time Olympian, is measured about his ambitions. "A top 10 would be really great. It's what I'm aiming for," he says. That kind of calibrated target reflects the reality of racing at this level, where one missed shift or a poorly-timed mark rounding can cost a sailor ten or more places, and boats regularly cross the finish line fractions of a second apart.
Within the American camp, Leo Boucher and Daniel Escudero have traded positions repeatedly at Olympic class events in Europe and the United States this season. Boucher is keeping his focus broad. "In a class like this, you have to try to beat everyone," he says.
Italy's Dimitri Peroni puts a finer point on it. "You can't just focus on beating one person. At least not until the last day. In the Medal Races, it's different."
In the 470, the full fleet races together for the first five days, with the top 10 then contesting a two-race Medal Race sail-off on the sixth and final day. In the ILCA classes, the whole field competes for the first two days, the top 45 advance into a three-day elimination round, and only the top 10 progress to Friday's Medal Races.
World-ranked number three ILCA 7 sailor and Paris Olympian Jonatan Vadnai of Hungary knows exactly what changes when you get into that top group. "When you're in the top 10, the strategy becomes easier," he says. "You attack or defend, but either way, you go for the win."
San Pedro OCR is one of only two major Olympic class events held annually in the United States. With LA 2028 three years away, getting time on the host venue adds a sharper edge to an already competitive week.
