Cayard in Five

It is hard not to be a fan of Paul Cayard. If he is supremely confident and considered arrogant by some, he delivers on the race course, doesn't he? And that is ultimately what it is all about for someone of his stature in the sport. Here is a brief run down on his Star Olympic Trials win.

Btw, I asked Cayard about the fact that there was much speculation about him, Coutts, Dubai, Malta....could he shed any insight? Cayard's answer: No.

Nobody is going to accuse him of wasting words.

First, incredible job. The breeze was on for a good chunk of the regatta. How tough was that?

PC
The breeze made it a physical regatta. I felt pretty fit going in and did a good job of maintaining my body during the regatta. I had my personal trainer there so that helped a lot. Proper fluids and food intake was critical.

When your mast came tumbling down, were your thoughts: A) we're fucked, or B) we can get this done?

PC
It did not come all the way down. It was bent. My immediate reaction was to get back to the dock and change. I knew at least we could make the second race. Then, it all came together so well we made the first one too.

Mark Reynolds never really made a run to the top. Did that surprise you?

PC
A bit. Marks only top result in the last year was in the MOCR in January that he and Steve won. I thought they would be tough in the trials but it never materialized for them.

What did you feel was your strength and your weakness in the Trials?

PC
Organization was our strength. We had left nothing to chance. This coupled with my physical preparation gave me a lot of confidence. We did not have a weakens during the trials. That's was gave us the consistency.

From one pressure regatta, now to perhaps the biggest one. How do you rate your chances, and what is your lead-up program all about?

PC
The Olympics will be a tough regatta...for everyone. The winner will have to have a week like we had in the trials, fast, smart and lucky. The competition is all good. Probably half the fleet could win the gold. I have just come off a great dress rehearsal. I know the place a bit after last summer so that helps a lot. I know what to expect from a Melteme and what to expect from a seabreeze. I know it will be 100 degrees there. So I am now looking at the rules for the Oly's and devising a plan to be as prepared for that as for the trials.

Again congrats, and thanks very much,