Personal Best!! Top Ten at the New Olympic Venue!!

Wow what a long hard season!!! But we did it! I have been relentlessly training to perform at Weymouth, the new sailing venue for the 2012 Olympic games. And finally in the world cup event there I finished in the top ten! This has been the goal for the 2009 season ever since the last race of the Olympic Games had drawn to a close. This gives me great confidence and renewed drive to do all the preparation necessary to make the London Olympics the one to always remember! I feel like I am starting to really get to the top of my game.  Great progress has been made but progress is still needed to be a confident medal in 2012. I can’t wait for next season to keep proving just that to my competitors, and for 2012 the USA is coming to the Olympics!

Now I will take a rest and reflect on this past season. I have reached my highest goal this season and have far outpaced any previous best of mine.  I feel satisfied albeit short-lived as my main focus is still eyeing the Olympic games and of course the competition never rests!  My performance this year has qualified me for the top position in the 2010 US National Sailing Team Alphagraphics for the 7th year now running.  My world cup ranking is now in the top 15 and have nearly cut in half my best performances of 2008.  What a relief that this season has been completed and to have such satisfaction.

I took many more notes this season than I ever had in the past, and now I will reflect and review the plusses and minuses, and make new goals and priorities so that next season will be further improved. The campaign has so many requirements, from funding and logistics to race day ready.  I know with good organization and continuing to build a strong team behind me both on and off the water I will medal.  I want to thank you all that have cheered me on this season, gave to me so much last season that enabled me to continue competing deep into the recession this past year.  I want to thank Christopher Sieber my coach

for yelling at my stubbornness and delighting in the wins we’ve had this season. The US Sailing Team for providing such needed support. But most importantly thank you for your support this past Olympic year in 2008, I have spent every last dime you have given me and that I had saved for the 2009 season.  What a ride it has been!

On a side note, I’ve been re-elected for the International sailing federations Athletes Commission, which represents all the athletes to the governing body.  In that meeting which just concluded I was elected the chairman, so that is a great honor and will enjoy fulfilling my duties there to the Executive team.

This season was a significant one for me personally and now I can finally rest. (for a few days!!) I’ll leave it all on the water in England at the Olympics in less than 3 years time.  Let’s stay in touch and I hope to see everyone very soon at home in the USA!