Windsurfer Farrah Hall's Second Chance at #1

Annapolis resident, St. Mary's College of Maryland graduate, and top-ranking windsurfer, Farrah Hall still has a chance to go to the Olympic Games. Last October after winning the U.S. Olympic Trials, Hall had the title torn from her 90 minutes after having won her ticket to Beijing, after runner-up Nancy Rios filed a request for redress that changed the results.

Rios's claim followed a collision and a torn sail, both which she said affected her overall standing. The jury agreed. Following complications about whether or not Hall filed her redress request on time, a formal grievance document Hall drafted for the Olympic Sailing Committee, and some new photographic evidence, U.S. Sailing is holding a special hearing April 9 and 10 in Providence, RI before the original jury members plus two new ones. Hall, Rios, and witnesses will be able to clarify their perspectives.

Hall was the subject of SpinSheet's APS Racer Profile in October 2006. When asked about her favorite escape along the Chesapeake, she responded, "Southern Maryland is my absolute favorite place to sail. The St. Mary's River is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. There is little boat traffic and development, and the area has the classic old tidewater look and feel. As far as windsurfing goes, nothing beats Point Lookout on a windy day... it rivals the Gorge for challenging conditions."

Stay tuned to SpinSheet for the latest developments. Check out a cool video about Hall by the Baltimore Sun.

Above: Farrah Hall at the Olympic Trials. Photo by Rich Roberts