Bell, Miller Qualify for Hobie 17 Sailing Finals

Brian Bell of Del Mar and Matt Miller of San Diego finished in the top 10 Tuesday on the last day of the second round of competition in the Hobie 17 U.S. National Sailing Championships at La Jolla Shores. Both made the finals, which will begin today.

Bell is in seventh place with 18 points, and Miller is in 10th with 21 points.

The finals include the top 36 sailors from the first round, which ended Sunday, and the top 36 from the second round. They will compete today and Thursday, with the top 36 competing Friday for the championship.

Fred Fogerty of San Diego finished the first round in eighth place with 16 points.

Wayne Mooneyham of San Jose, who was in fifth place in the second round on Monday, won the second round Tuesday with eight points. Enrique Figueroa of Puerto Rico placed second with 10.75 points and Carlton Tucker of Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., finished third with 12.50 points.

Brian Smith of San Diego was 18th, and Rex Miller of Vista was 25th.

First-round finalists include: Carl Nunes (San Diego), 14th; Paul Parizeau (Encinitas), 15th; John Hershfeld (Leucadia), 24th; George Vondervort (San Diego), 25th; Lee Dockstader (Cardiff), 29th; Bill Greer (San Diego), 33rd.

Jane Sharrod of Joshua, Tex., the only woman finalist, scored 40 points, for 29th place, Tuesday.