Newport-Mesa sailors begin U.S. Olympic trials

U.S. Olympic sailing trials begin today in Newport Beach and end Oct. 14 with one of 41 entrants joining the country’s Olympic team. Hosted by the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, the trials start with official measurement of the boats, which lasts through Friday.

The Finn class dinghies will begin a nine-day schedule of races on Saturday, and the sailor with the most points at the end wins the Olympic spot. Nine competitors from Newport Beach and one from Costa Mesa are entered in the race.

The first race is expected to begin at noon Saturday, depending on wind. The yacht club won’t be open to the public, but the one-mile race course can be viewed from the Newport Pier or the beach between the pier and 60th Street.

— Alicia Robinson