As we might have noticed, I took the week off from writing reports here on CampbellSailing.com and handed the reigns to staff reporters (and great friends) Nick Deane and Jackie Schmitz. Through the series of literally hundreds of text messages, emails, and phone conversations, Ryan Costello and others were able to us the GeorgetownSailing.org website to keep everybody up to date, and up to the minute on what was going on here at the Olympic Trials. The site apparently received nearly 20,000 looks during the week and while I’m sure that many were friends of mine pressing the “refresh” button a hundred times an hour, I think that there is definitely evidence of some serious traffic seeing that information. So thanks very much to Nick and Jackie working with Ryan to take care of the updates, that took another thing off my plate so I could concentrate on sailing.
This past week was exceedingly exhausting mentally, physically and emotionally. The regatta was sailed in very trying conditions. Temperatures never reached 65 after the first day of the regatta, and all but one of the 16 races were sailed in more than 12 knots of breeze. The wind was simply relentless and the daily grind of beach launch, combined with cold, windy conditions ashore and on the water made the event a miserable existence for many of the weekend warriors that showed up to sail the event. Massive waves, as much as 8 feet, and steady 18-22 knot breezes created conditions that were deemed unsafe by the race committee one day… not because the Lasers could not handle it, but because there were not enough safety boats according to the next morning’s briefing. That said, Sail Newport did one heck of a job with the racing. The committee work and jury were top notch and the circus tent that held us all week kept us out of the rain. When you hear sailors complain about a facility it is usually a reflection of bad sailing conditions. I want to set the record straight that there might not be a better venue for sailboat racing in October in the United States. We had 8 days (over the course of nine on the calendar) of 8-25 knots of breeze, hardly every too shifty to sail and never too light). Access to the ocean was extremely easy, and outside boat traffic was minimal (although we may have screwed up some lobsterman’s routes through the week). I think I speak for most of the sailors when I say that this venues wore us out. However when Dave Wright and I were packing up our boats in the dark empty parking lot yesterday evening, we laughed about how few places there really are where after 6 weeks of sailing we would just as soon stay and keep training. It was relatively cheap, the restaurants are good, the people speak english, and the wind is relentless.
However, as the temperature plummets towards freezing, I’m heading south towards Oyster Bay for the Hinman this coming weekend and then to Australia for the winter circuit. Boats need to be bought and plane tickets need to be organized. While we were standing around waiting for the jury’s decision about the protest on the final day of racing, I could not help but laugh with a group of my best friends standing around (A group of six of my Georgetown teammates as well as another ten family and friends came and supported me this week from the spectator fleet as well as the rock outcroppings on Sachuest Point). Depending on how the protest committee decided I would either be spending the next week applying for jobs from my friends standing there, or spending more money than I have on plane tickets overseas. Knowing that whatever happened I could depend on my friends and family for total emotional support, I really was not worried about the outcome. There are bigger things in life than winning sailboat races. Namely the friendships that you make while trying to win sailboat races and the people that you can depend on even if you lose them.
Last night, after Dave and I finished up the boat load, we decided to head to the Aquidneck Pizzeria and Grill for one last meal at our favorite local spot. As we pulled in there was one truck standing in the middle of the parking lot with a laser atop the roof, “HandyStorage” sticker plastered on the transom. We had both thought Brad had left the night before, but we busted through the door to see Mr Funk sitting at a booth alone mowing down some chicken wings waiting for an order of lasagna. “I thought you guys had already left!,” Brad said, as we squeezed ourselves into his booth. “Two more plates please.” We were the first ones here, I suppose its fitting that we are the last to leave.
I want to take another brief moment to thank my friends and family for coming to the event to help me out and cheer me on. Coach Bill Ward was a key part of the week, always understated and passing off the credit, he deserves a huge amount of this win and I have been so glad that I have been able to share victories at the Pre-Trials, the Pan-Am Games and now the Olympic Trials with him. Hopefully we will be able to convince US Sailing to take him to China next August! I also could not have come this far and cannot continue this campaign without my very supportive donors and sponsors. Kaenon Polarized sunglasses, Magic Marine, Vanguard Sailboats, Harken, Patagonia, ColieSails Proshop, CISA, and the SDYC Sailing Foundation have all provided incalculable support. Finally I am so proud to continue the long tradition of San Diego Yacht Club sailors in the Olympic Games. I will work very hard over the next 10 months to try to continue the tradition of medal winners.
