February 3, 2012
Clever Pig Team Members, Fred Strammer & Zack Brown Update
Racing on Day 4 started off slow with a DNF (did not finish) in the first race due to a break down. On the first run of the race, we found ourselves really slow on starboard gybe, and after a quick inspection, we found that our cap shroud, the wire that holds the top of the mast, had come out of the spreader tip and our new kite was stuck on it. After a few gybes to try and free the kite, we managed to get it down, although we ripped a foot long section of the leech. From here it took us 30 minutes to flip the boat over to put the cap back in the spreader, and re-rig a new spinnaker on the water–no easy task. We were generously assisted by Fred and Cathy Strammer, and Trevor Parekh, which helped to expedite the process. Two more races that day yielded a 16-8 with us solidly in 16th overall. An interesting mark rounding in the third race was caught from the helicopter. You can check it out here.
The last day of the RMOCR concluded with South winds around 12-16mph, which, from this direction, can generate huge chop. There were several large shifts throughout the day, which we found ourselves on the correct side but, overall, we were stuck towards the back of the fleet. We finished the regatta with a 14-9-18 to maintain our 16th place finish. You can check out results at the RMOCR site.
We are a bit disappointed about our finish here in Miami, but we know it is a long road to Rio. We set ourselves up for a difficult event when our new boat arrived late and we were still trying to figuring out our container logistics for Europe–good thing we did this early because our boat ships out tomorrow… 2 weeks earlier than expected! However, this event allowed us an opportunity to understand how each of us perform during a regatta, which is invaluable information. Over the next two months, we will take particular care to work out the kinks from our first event so that we can continue to develop our skills over in Europe–the panacea for our dearth of 49er race experience.
On Sunday, we met with the coaches and staff of the US Sailing Team Alphagraphics and were pleased to learn of several opportunities in which they could support us over the next year. In addition to helping us out with shipping logistics, we will also have opportunities for coaching. Thank you US Sailing!
Furthermore, we have gained the support of the Southport Sailing Foundation (Cleverpig) who will provide financial support as we make our way to Europe this spring. Check our their website at www.cleverpig.org.
Today is the last day of packing before we put our new boat on the container bound for England. We will see her again in late March when we pick her up and begin the World Cup Tour throughout six countries in Europe.
We would like to thank Hedgeye, the Southport Sailing Foundation, and our friends and family for their support continued support on Our Road To Rio!
Follow Fred and Zack: http://www.ourroadtorio.com/archives/306
February 3, 2012
US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Committee Selects 2012 US Paralympic Team
Portsmouth, R.I. (February 2, 2012) – The six members of the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team – Sailing were selected based on performances at US Sailing’s 2012 Rolex Miami OCR, held Jan. 23-28, 2012, in Miami, Fla., and the IFDS Worlds held two weeks earlier in Port Charlotte, Fla. As the top-scoring eligible American athletes in their respective Paralympic sailing classes, Jen French and JP Creignou, Mark LeBlanc, and Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson have successfully completed qualification. US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Committee will officially nominate the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team - Sailing, pending approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee. The US Paralympic Team – Sailing will compete at the 2012 Paralympic Sailing Regatta, scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2012 in Weymouth/Portland, England.
“These six athletes have shown they have the desire required to win Paralympic medals,” said Olympic Sailing Committee Chairman Dean Brenner (Wallingford, Conn.). “Four of the members have already been to the Games, and they bring a great deal of experience and wisdom to the overall Team.”
Jen French and JP Creignou (both St. Petersburg, Fla.) secured the bronze in the SKUD-18 at Rolex Miami OCR and with it the Team Trials. Creignou is a 2004 Paralympic bronze medalist (Sonar).
“When I crossed the finish line, my coach told me I had won,” said French dockside after racing. “It’s very exciting. We had a tough week. Most of the boats have been close together, and all of the boats competing give us an idea of what the Paralympics will be like. There were a lot of medalists from Paralympics and others who have been to the Games. You have to sail your best against them.”
To listen to the full audio interview with Jen French, click here. French and Creignou are both members of St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) realized his dream of qualifying for the Games after a disappointing finish at the 2008 Paralympic Trials in the 2.4mR. He tied on points with, and finished second to, John Ruf (Pewaukee, Wis.), who went on to win the 2008 Paralympic bronze medal.
“It’s been a great day,” said LeBlanc moments after reaching the dock at the end of Rolex Miami OCR. “I sealed the deal and won the Trials.”
LeBlanc, who finished 8th at Rolex Miami OCR, is a member of Southern Yacht Club.
Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) are all Paralympians, with a combined four Paralympic medals. They finished Rolex Miami OCR in 6th. “We’ve been to working hard for three years,” said Callahan. “We’re looking forward to winning a gold medal for USA.”
Callahan, who is a member of New York Yacht Club and Port Charlotte Sailing Club, is a 2000 Paralympian; Brown is the 2000 bronze medalist (2.4mR) and 2004 silver medalist (2.4mR); and Johnson, who is a member of St. Petersburg Yacht Club, is a 2004 bronze medalist (Sonar) and a Paralympian in volleyball.
Photo: Back row LtoR: Mark LeBlanc, JP Creignou, Brad Johnson, Tom Brown. Front row: Paul Callahan, Jen French Credit: Mick Anderson/USSTAG
To read about the US Olympic Team – Sailing, please click here.
To read the press release announcing the selection procedures, please click here.
About US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics
The US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. The top boats in each Olympic and Paralympic class are selected annually to be members of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. US Sailing supports these elite athletes with funding, coaching and training. The title sponsor of the team is AlphaGraphics; other sponsors include Rolex Watch USA, Atlantis WeatherGear, Sperry Top-Sider, LaserPerformance, Harken Team McLube, Trinity Yachts, New England Ropes, Group Experiential Learning and Bow Down Training. For more information about the US Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Program and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics, please visit: http://sailingteams.ussailing.org. For more information about the 2012 US Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams, please visit: http://olympics.ussailing.org
January 20, 2012
Add Your Event to Clever Pig's Racing Calendar
Clever Pig maintains one of the most comprehensive racing calendars in North America. We feature several categories of racing boats that are raced nationally & internationally – Youth, Olympic, Paralympic & ‘Other’ classes. Classes included on the Clever Pig calendar are the following: 29er, Bic Techno 293, CFJ, Club 420, High School, I-420, Laser 4.7, Naples Sabot, Optimist, SL 16, 470, 49er, Elliott 6M, Finn, Laser, Laser Radial, RS:X, Star, 2.4 M, Skud 18, Sonar, 29erXX, 505, A-Class Cat, College, Farr 30, Farr 40, Hobie 16, I-14, J/22, J/24, Lightning, Match Racing, Melges 24, Melges 32, Snipe, Sunfish, Team Racing, Thistle and Vanguard 15.
Additionally, Clever Pig lists match racing & team racing events, clinics, high school and college sailing events, as well as US Sailing National events. The calendar is searchable by class and/or category.
Don’t miss the chance to get the word out about your regatta – add your event to the Clever Pig calendar today: http://www.cleverpig.org/addevent.php . (All events are reviewed by the webmaster before posting.)
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