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Horton and Pearce selected to US Sailing team
April 14, 2005
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GENEVA, N.Y.—A pair of Hobart College alumni recently were selected as members of the 2005 US Sailing Team. Andy Horton ’98 of Newport, R.I., and current HWS assistant sailing coach John Pearce ’04 were both identified by US Sailing as strong contenders for an Olympic berth and as a part of the team will be assisted with coaching, training, and other benefits.
“Everyone at Hobart and William Smith is proud of both John and Andy’s selection,” Hobart and William Smith Sailing Head Coach Scott Iklé said. “This is a great opportunity to help them prepare for the Olympic trials.”
Leading the US Sailing team’s lightning class boat to a gold medal at the XII Pan American Games in 1999, Horton will compete in the star class, a two-handed boat consisting of a skipper and one crew. Also a member of the 1998 and 1999 teams, Horton and crew Brad Nichol are the top pair in the class. Horton most recently captured the 2003 International Sailing Federation Match Racing World Championship and was one of six finalists for the 2003 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award.
Pearce, a two-time All-American, will compete in the laser class as the third-ranked competitor. Earning first-team coed skipper honors his senior season, Pearce helped HWS to a second-place finish in the ICSA Team Race North American Championships and a third place showing in the ICSA Dinghy North American Championship. As an assistant coach for the Colleges this year, he helped HWS capture its first Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association Team Race Championship.
US Sailing annually recognizes the top-five ranked sailors in each of the boat-classes selected for the next Olympic competition. Rankings on the US Sailing Team are based on attendance and performance at qualifying events.