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Dawg Blog Pre-Trials prelim Tonight...Tomorrow at 2am my shuttle to the LAX arrives and I start my journey to OZ. I call it OZ for now because I have never been there. Where? Newport, RI. to compete in the pre-trials regatta. One year from now will be the actual Olympic and Paralympic Trials to select the US representatives for the different sailing classes in the Beijing Games. I'll be sailing in the 2.4mR class, a single-handed boat which started out as a tank test model for the old 12 meter AC class. There will be some really good sailors there and they also have a bit more experience the I do in the boat. But I know I can be just a fast as they are. Just to show how serious I am, I am arriving a week early to prepare. A new boat and a venue I have never been sailing at necessitates some time to prepare. I do need to thank a few in advance. Sailing Anarchy has donated $1000 (that went straight in to the boat). Quantum has tossed a full set of sails made by the Inland loft and Jim Gluek . Hamish Matthew at Gul has placed me on their team and outfitted me with dry gear. And Murrays Marine, the US importer for Barz eye wear has given me some goggles to keep the salt water from stinging my eyes. Thanks for believing in me before I even have proven myself. Well ok, I did place 2nd at US Sailing's Independence Cup in 04 and 4th in 05. The Pre-Trials will be the first in a series of regattas to qualify for the US Disabled Sailing Team, USDST (I hate that name). If you make the team you get a little $ back (not near what you spent) and I think free boat shipping to the worlds. Anyway we'll just go one regatta at a time. Here is a hello I received from Jasper over in the Netherlands along with a vid.
Congrats on your new 2.4 mR!! I'm sure you'll really enjoy this boat. Here is a link to a YouTube 2.4 mR vid I just uploaded . Btw, in this pic below you can see why neutral floatation is important in a 2.4mR. Failure of both pumps (electric and manual) will result in swamping like this at 2006 2.4 mR Worlds in Helsinki. Next report From Newport, RI. Dave's
program is very grass roots, but he is a very solid sailor
and should be very competitive in this class. Again, thanks
to his two sponsors so far (SA of course is one as well) and
if anyone else can help the Dawg reach his goal, get in touch
with The Ed.
Thanks in advance. |
