Olympics/Paralympics 2004

  

Sonar Europe 49er Yngling Mistral

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2004 Olympic Diary

For the sixth time in his 24-year career with US SAILING, Olympic Director Jonathan Harley is accompanying the USA's Team to the Olympic Games.

His first Olympic diary  -- from Sydney, Australia -- offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of the U.S. sailors at the Games.  Now in Athens with the 2004 Team, Jonathan is back with a second installment of his Olympic Diary.

Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates.
 

 

   
  August 17 – Lots of activity around the dinghy park today as races cancelled from the previous day were scheduled to be made up.  Light breeze early on allowed the Mistral Women and Europe fleets to get in one very light air race.  Then the breeze died out completely and everyone waited on the water for some racing.  Eventually the Mistrals were sent ashore and 49ers were sent out for their three scheduled races. 

Until about 4:00 p.m. there was not enough wind to sail at all, but the 49ers did manage to get in one race that turned out to be frustrating for everyone.  At one point Tim and Pete were third, but a big hole near the finish completely shuffled the results.  They were happy to get an eighth.  About 10 boats drifted across the finish line overlapped and no one knew results until the RC posted them. After about a two-hour wait on the water, the 49ers were sent home.  Eventually, the Laser and Europe classes got in their second race of the day.

The 470s were also postponed on the water for three hours but eventually did get in their two make-up races. Our Teams had a great day and were happy when arriving ashore, even though it was well after 8:00 p.m.  The media was allowed in to do some brief interviews and then it was time to wait for the end of protest time before we headed home. (Tim Wadlow is being interviewed by Stuart Streuli of Sailing World and Bernie Wilson from the Associated Press in the photo below.  Note that they are behind barriers to keep them from accessing the dinghy park.)

For the support staff our days are long with lots of activity ashore early in the morning, followed by hour upon hour of looking at TV to see races and scores, and then lots of activity late as the boats come ashore.

I am beginning to get used to having dinner no earlier than 9:00 p.m., and last night it was after 10:30 before we were served.  The locals were just coming in for dinner as we left at midnight.  As the saying goes “When in Rome.” 

Hopefully we will have a steadier breeze tomorrow that will make life easier.

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