[Rhodes22-list] Olympic Sailing

[Peter Thorn]

Paul Foerster and Kevin Burnham had a perfect start at the leeward end and
got a nice 10 degree left shift moments later, tacked and crossed the fleet
with an early lead which they held for 4 legs. The Ukrainians won the third
beat and went on to the win with Paul and Kevin second, putting them in the
series lead. The British were deep at the first mark, but made a spectacular
recovery to finish 9th. The Aussies, who lost a protest in
race two, were a come from behind 3rd.

Lloyd,

The above is from US Sailing's Olympic Newsletter on yesterday's activities.
Paul Foerster and Kevin Burnham, at 40 and 47 respectively, are the "old
men" of the US Olympic Sailing Team.  I think they are aging like fine wine.
Let's all cheer them on to hold on to their lead in the 470 class!

In the late 1980's (I think '88) I had the good fortune to race in the US
Sailing "Championship of Champions" race, held that year in Sandusky, Ohio
in the bay protected by the famous Cedar Point Park (known for it's big
roller coaster that Roger has written about).  The race was held in
Interlakes -- kind of a Midwestern snub-nosed Lightning boat.   I was middle
crew for George Smart, Tanzer16 National Champion that year.  To enter the C
of C race as a skipper, one must be a National Champion in a US Sailing
one-design class.  Twenty-Two identical boats are provided by the race
organizers, and after each race crews change boats -- all to insure
one-design fairness.

The entrants consisted of three types of sailors:  rank amateurs (us),
people in the small boat racing industry, like sailmakers and boatbuilders
(Jan Guegeon, of WEST System Epoxy, was there in Stonington, CN in 1994 as
the DN iceboat Champion), and rising star semi-pro serious sailors like Paul
Foerster.  He was the Flying Dutchman National Champion that year.  Many of
the top crews go on to sail in Americas Cup Class boats and other big money
events.  Dave Dellenbach and Ed Adams (Snipe) were among the other stars
that year.

Paul Foerster swept that regatta.  He is a soft-spoken thoughtful Texan -- 
the type of person who is so personable and likeable that it's almost
pleasant being beaten by him.  He takes his racing seriously, but has a
humble an unassuming demeanor.  But he's one hell of a sailor!

So, I just want you all to know that our 470 American leader right now is a
really good guy.  Now we can all pay more close attention to the Olympic 470
racing and cheer Paul and Kevin to victory!

PT










Did anybody watch the sailing on TV yet?  Last night they showed two races,
the Lady's 4.70 ran from 12:38 a.m. to 12:47a.m. followed by the Men's 4.70
from 12:49 a.m. to 12:53a.m. edt.  Those boats have very little in common
with the boats I raced in college in '46 & '47.  They are real racing
machines.  The coverage and Gary's commentary were excellent.  The venue was
outstanding.  The wind got up to 22 knots for the men's race, they didn't
say what it was for the women but it must have been in the 20s.  Made the
America's Cup races look tame.

Lloyd
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