| Stars Where They're At The 2006 US Sailing Team Trials was our one-year check in for the Olympic Trials in 2007 – the event we have to win in order to go to Beijing. Our main goal was to learn about the site as possible since we have not sailed in Marina del Rey in the past. It was no secret that US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Committee was looking for light air venues when they decided to conduct their trials for the US Olympic Team in Southern California in October. For the most part, the racing was sailed in four to seven knots of shifty breeze with confused lumpy water. We were able to learn a lot about the site and we left the event with an extensive list of what we need to accomplish over the next twelve months in order to reach our goal. First and foremost is going to be spending as much time as possible in LA to experience every condition this tricky site is going to throw at us. We need to adjust how we set up the boat to favor the light conditions and we need to continue to sail smart to eliminate low finishes. Our second place finish puts us nicely in the lead for the US Team standings for 2007 with two regattas left to sail. Next on our schedule is the North American Championships in Miami, Nov 11-18 and the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta in January. Keep a look out for invites to fundraising events in Burlington, VT and Miami, FL in November. Thank you to our web team of Eli and Kate for keeping our site up to date, up to date, to all our private donors, US Sailing, and to our suppliers Sperry, Harken, Patagonia, Kaenon, VC Performance Rigging, Himaya, and JCD. A special thank you to LNR Partners in Miami for giving Brad the flexibility he needs at work to compete in such an extensive schedule. Oh yeah, of course SA rocks! Cheers! Andy & Brad |