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The final day of the 2008 ISAF Nations Cup Regional Final for North America and Caribbean sponsored by Team One Newport was held in ideal match racing conditions, with clear skies, temperatures in the high-60s, and 10-15 knots of breeze all day. At the end of 57 matches over the three day event, experienced match race Dave PERRY of the USA and Beijing Olympic Games gold medallist Anna TUNNICLIFFE, also of the USA, came out on top of the open and women's divisions, respectively. Consequently, the USA earn spots in both the open and women's events at the Grand Final of the 2009 ISAF Nations Cup, which will be held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from 23-28 March next year.

The first match of the day was the final match of the women's semi-final round, featuring Bermuda's Paula LEWIN against Canada's Lisa ROSS. Each skipper had earned one point in the round, with the first skipper to earn two points moving on to the finals. LEWIN held ROSS to the starboard side of the line in the pre-start and was able to lead off the line at the gun. ROSS never managed to pass, and LEWIN moved on to the finals to face TUNNICLIFFE.

In the women's final, TUNNICLIFFE and LEWIN battled fiercely in the pre-starts. But TUNNICLIFFE managed to control LEWIN off the line and held the lead each race to win the finals 3-0. Commenting on the results, TUNNICLIFFE said, "Paula pushed us constantly, we could never give her an inch or we knew she'd be right back in the match."

In the open final, match racing veteran PERRY of the USA faced newcomer Taylor CANFIELD from the US Virgin Island. What CANFIELD lacked in match racing experience, he made up for with talent and determination.

The first start was a draw, with PERRY at the pin and CANFIELD at the boat. After splitting tacks, CANFIELD came out ahead and held the lead around the course to go up 1-0. PERRY won the start of the second match and led around the course to tie it up.

Match three provided the most excitement of the day. CANFIELD led most of the way around the course, with PERRY trailing close behind. Down the final run, PERRY managed to close the distance and draw a red-flag penalty on CANFIELD, which put PERRY ahead 2-1. With the championship on the line, CANFIELD came out aggressively in the pre-start of the fourth match, but it wasn't enough to hold off the veteran. CANFIELD was penalized just before the gun and PERRY went on to win the series 3-1.

Congratulations to Anna TUNNICLIFFE, Molly VANDEMOER, Ali CHURCH and Liz BOWER of the USA on their win in the women's division and Dave PERRY, Chris MUSELER, and Ned JONES of the USA on their win in the open division. Both teams have qualified to represent the North America and Caribbean region at the ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final in Porto Alegre, Brazil from 23-28 March 2009.

ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final - Qualified Nations

Open

Brazil - host
France - defending champion
Portugal
New Zealand
India
Denmark
USA

Women

Brazil - host
France - defending champion
Australia
Great Britain
Italy
India
USA

Find out more about the fifth edition of the ISAF Nations Cup and learn more on the history of the event and past winners at the ISAF Nations Cup microsite www.sailing.org/nationscup.