US SAILING e-US SAILING Daily Update from the Olympic Games  
 

ENCOURAGING PARTICIPATION AND PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN SAILING
May 3, 2006

A powerboat course at Milwaukee Sailing Center shows how candidates learn to conduct safe rescues

GET A SAFE START ON THE SUMMER SAILING SEASON, TAKE A POWERBOAT COURSE

With another exciting summer sailing season just around the corner, many sailing programs are starting up again, race committees are gearing up for another racing season, and regatta volunteers are signing up to help at local events. US SAILING’s Powerboat Certification Series is a great way to ensure that you have thorough powerboat operating knowledge. US SAILING offers two levels of powerboat courses. The entry-level Safe Powerboat Handling Course focuses on the basics; while the more advanced Safety, Rescue and Race Support course is intended for race management volunteers who perform mark-setting functions as well as safety and rescue functions. Now is a great time to learn or fine-tune your powerboat skills.
> For more information about US SAILING's Powerboat Courses, please visit: http://www.ussailing.org/training/powerboat/index.htm or call US SAILING to find a certified instructor and set up a course in your area.

TWO GOLD MEDALS FOR US SAILING TEAM-MEMBERS IN FRANCE

US Sailing Team-members wrapped up another successful event in Europe last Friday by winning two Gold medals at the French Olympic Sailing Week in Hyères, France. Paige Railey (Clearwater, FL) won the 80-boat Laser Radial fleet while Sally Barkow (Nashotah,
WI), Carrie Howe (Grosse Pointe, MI), and Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, NY) won the 26-boat Yngling fleet. The event, ranked by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) as a Grade 1 event, celebrated one of its largest fleets in its history with more than 1,000 sailors from 50 countries participating.
> To read the full story, please visit http://www.ussailing.org/pressreleases/2006/hyeres.htm. For complete results, visit the event website at http://sof.ffvoile.net/index.php

US SAILOR Of The Week
Paige Railey


Paige Railey is all smiles after winning French Olympic Sailing Week

Simply put, 18-year-old Paige Railey is very passionate about the sport of sailing and she loves competition. One of her biggest dreams has long been to win a gold medal in sailing at the Olympic Games. And she's well on her way because, after all, she is the reigning World Champion in the women's Laser Radial. This is the same girl who once told a New York Times reporter that, when she was younger, she wanted to work at a Dunkin Donuts because then she thought she could eat all the donuts she wanted. Paige says that since then her focus has turned to sailing. This spring and summer, she's spending most of her time competing in regattas in Europe, while also going as far away as China. When it comes to sailing, her motto is "Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else" (inspired by famous football coach Vince Lombardi). No doubt we'll be hearing from her in the years to come!

US SAILING DISPLAYS AT NATIONAL SAILING HALL OF FAME IN ANNAPOLIS

As the boats competing in the Volvo Ocean Race prepare to leave Baltimore, MD, this Thursday and head to Annapolis, MD,  local organizers have quite a few events planned for visitors from across the globe. One of the attractions will be an exhibit at the new National Sailing Hall of Fame, temporarily located near the Annapolis City Dock. The exhibit includes two US SAILING-related displays: a look all the past US SAILING Rolex Yachtsmen and Yachtswomen of the Year, as well as an overview of past U.S. Olympic Sailing Medalists. US SAILING is also hosting its annual Presidents Club event in Annapolis this weekend, bringing together many of US SAILING's major supporters to enjoy a unique visit on board the VO-70 Pirates of Caribbean with skipper Paul Cayard and much more.
> Find out more about all the activities scheduled for the Annapolis stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race by going to http://www.oceanracechesapeake.org. For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race, visit the event website at http://www.volvooceanrace.org. And if you'd like to find out more about the National Sailing Hall of Fame, please visit http://www.nationalsailinghalloffame.org

AT A LOSS FOR WORDS? SAILOR'S ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY TO THE RESCUE

Have you ever been caught in the doldrums? Can you spot the difference between a ketch and a yawl? Do you know when you are ready to jibe, or whether one fakes or flakes a line? Nautical language is a richly diverse blend of terms and idioms that reflect generations of experience and enterprise on the high seas. Some of the oldest phrases still retain their original definitions from long before Shakespeare's day; others have subtly shifted in meaning over the years. Still others, brand-new and freshly coined from laptop computers, are just making their way into the vernacular. The Sailor's Illustrated Dictionary presents one of the most comprehensive, up-to-date, and accurate references of its kind. The book gathers more than 8,500 definitions and covers an ocean of information from supertankers to dinghies, from naval warfare to pleasure yachting, and from sail to oar.
> This great resource also makes a great Mother's Day gift! The Sailor's Illustrated Dictionary is $14.25 for US SAILING-members, $18.95 for non-members. Visit http://store.ussailing.org to order.

10 QUESTIONS FOR US SAILING TEAM-MEMBER CAROL CRONIN

Carol Cronin, a 41-year-old Yngling sailor from Jamestown, RI, was recently named to the 2006 US Sailing Team with Kim Couranz and Margaret Podlich as crew. Being on the US Sailing Team is nothing new for Carol, who competed in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and finished tenth in a highly competitive Yngling fleet, winning two out of 11 races. We wanted to check in with Carol to find out what she’s been up to and if she’s seriously considering another Olympic campaign.

1. What have you been doing since the 2004 Olympic Games?
I spent 2005 recovering and catching up. I spent almost 400 days on the road in 2003 and 2004, and I needed to be home more than I was away. I also rebuilt my graphic design and writing business and rediscovered evening sails on my brother’s Herreshoff Fish.

2. The Summer Olympic Games are only 2 years away. Are you planning to have another go at it and try to qualify for the Olympic Team?
We are really enjoying planning our sailing through the pre-Trials right now and will fully gear up in early 2007. I know all too well what a big commitment of time and effort a serious campaign is, and I want to make sure we take enough time for other things this year.

3. You’ve changed crew since your last Olympic campaign, what’s it like to pick up a campaign with 2 new crew-members?
New teammates bring a fresh perspective to any endeavor, and Kim and Margaret’s enthusiasm has made me realize (again) how exciting it is to be sailing at an Olympic level. It is too easy to get caught up in the competition side and forget how many great experiences I’ve had the past few years. It also helps that Margaret and Kim have sailed together a lot, so they gelled right away in the boat. We have a lot of fun together and laugh a lot, which is by far the biggest reason I’m excited to go sailing again.

4. What are your plans for the summer sailing season?

We are going to sail three Yngling events in 2006: the Yngling Worlds in La Rochelle, France, the Olympic Test Event in Qingdao, China, and the Pre-Trials in Newport, RI. We are especially excited about the opportunity to check out the Olympic venue; I attended the 2002 test event in Athens and it was great to experience a small piece of the pressure and hype of the Games two years ahead. We are also sailing in the BoatU.S. Santa Maria Cup, an ISAF Grade 1 women’s match racing event in Annapolis in June.

5. Many sailors know that it’s not cheap to undertake an Olympic campaign. How do you support yourself through these campaigns?

I have my own business so I can work while I’m on the road. My clients have been very understanding about my schedule, and they work with me so I can get their jobs completed between events. And since I’m the liaison between New England Ropes and the US Sailing Team, some of my work is actually done at regattas. We are also fortunate to have support from BoatU.S.; they are covering some of our regatta expenses for 2006.

6. When not competing in regattas, what’s your training regimen like?

I have recently stepped up my training again to 6-7 hours per week of biking, yoga, and weight training. Fitness is a very important part of sailing, and it is the one part you can take care of on your own, no matter where you are.

7. What’s it like to have your husband Paul coach your team?

Paul has always been my biggest fan and I would not have achieved goals beyond my own expectations without his continuous belief in my abilities. His business has become more mobile, so he is able to take a more active role this time around and will be traveling with us this summer. That will be a big help since his eye for detail is simply fantastic.

8. How old were you when you first went sailing and what was your favorite class as a junior?

I first went sailing at 10 days old on my parents’ brand new cruising boat. I did a lot of cruising and racing with them growing up, and I still join them for cruises up and down the East Coast when our schedules mesh. I raced the Cape Cod Knockabout as a junior, which is an overweight, old fashioned 18’ class that is still an active one design on the Cape. Perhaps that’s where I learned to love keelboats?

9. If you could give advice to any female sailors out there who aren’t sure whether they should switch from sailing a dinghy to a keelboat, what would you tell them?

I would say start off in a dinghy and learn those skills first; the quick response required by dinghy sailing helps you learn faster and will be useful later on no matter what sailing you do. One of the best things about sailing is that it is a lifelong sport, and keelboats make it possible to extend your competitive lifespan. I never thought about going to the Olympics until I was close to 30, and I went at 40. Your competitive sailing life is longer than you think!

10. Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Don’t be afraid to approach the “rock stars” of our sport. At the appropriate time, most are very accessible and happy to share their knowledge.

NEW ENGLAND ROPES PROUD TO SUPPORT COUNTRY'S TOP SAILORS

New England Ropes is proud of our involvement with the US Sailing Team. Our relationship with the Team’s administration, coaches, and Team-members provides us with excellent feedback that helps us make better products to offer our U.S. sailors. In return, our country’s best athletes have access to the world’s best sailing lines to help them in their quest for top results at world class events. At New England Ropes, we understand the personal and financial sacrifices these athletes have to make in order to pursue their dreams. Our mission as Official Cordage Supplier is to provide world-class product and service to all USST members.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR U.S. JUNIOR WOMEN'S SINGLEHANDED CHAMPIONSHIP

Registration is now open for the 2006 U.S. Junior Women's Singlehanded Championship for US SAILING's Nancy Leiter Clagett Memorial Trophy. The event will be held at Houston Yacht Club in Houston, Texas, July 22-28 and will be preceded by a clinic. Sponsored by Vanguard Sailboats and raced in Laser Radials, this Championship is an open event for women sailors between 13 and 18 years old, no pre-qualification is required. Charters will be awarded based on date of application and travel distance to those who register by June 1.
> For more information and to register, please visit http://www.ussailing.org/championships/youth/usjrw/single.

DO YOU KNOW A US SAILOR OF THE WEEK?

Who is the most passionate sailor you know? Who is always on the water, taking every rules quiz or searching for that perfect cruising lunch spot? Who do you know who has dreams about a well executed jibe-set or a maintenance-free roller furler. Or do you know someone who is newly converted to the sport and soaking up information like a sponge? How about a junior sailor whom you have to command to "please step away from the dinghy." Do you know someone who gives as much time and energy to building a fleet or running races as they do to working at the office? We want to know about them!
> E-mail e-USSAILING's editors at eussailing@ussailing.org with a photo of that sailor and 100 words of background info. Check out past featured US SAILORS of the Week at http://www.ussailing.org/News/Sailor_of_the_Week/index.asp

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