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2 former Statesmen named to U.S. Sailing Team
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Andy Horton |
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John Pearce |
May 16, 2006
GENEVA, N.Y.—For the second year in a row, two former Hobart College sailors recently were named to the 2006 U.S. Sailing Team. Andy Horton ’98 and John Pearce ’04 were 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.
Horton, of Newport, R.I., will compete in the star class, a two-handed boat consisting of a skipper and a crew. Also a member of the 1998, 1999, and 2005 teams, Horton and crew Brad Nichol are the top pair in the class. Horton 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. In 1999, he led the U.S. Sailing Team’s lightning class boat to a gold medal at the XII Pan American Games.
A two-time All-American, Pearce, of Ithaca, will compete in the laser class as the fifth-ranked competitor. Earning first-team coed skipper honors following his senior season, Pearce helped HWS to a second-place finish in the 2004 ICSA Team Race North American Championship and a third place showing in the 2004 ICSA Dinghy North American Championship. As an assistant coach for the Colleges 2005, he helped HWS capture its first two ICSA Championships (team race & dinghy).
U.S. 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.