Diary
August 16, 2007
Several members of Team USA arrived in Qingdao prior to the event in order to test out their equipment, practice in Fushan Bay, and, of course, get acclimated to the city itself. The Yngling trio of Sally Barkow, Debbie Capozzi and Carrie Howe, also known as Team 7, wrote their impressions of the location of the 2008 Olympic Sailing Competition:
The three of us reunited in Qingdao two weeks before the start of racing to train hard for the final Olympic test event. The "real thing" is a year from now and we have yet to win US Team selection but we want to win the Gold next year, and this year too. We settled on two weeks to allow sufficient time to acclimatize ourselves to the wind, the water conditions and the local culture. After two summers campaigning in Europe, we think we’ve gotten used to European customs, food and attitudes. But, I have to admit, getting used to Europe seems like a walk in the park, now that we are "getting used to" China, especially a big industrial city like Qingdao that is only beginning to become westernized. Whether it is coping with the pervading smog and polluted water, learning to ignore the need for personal space, or trying to use charades to communicate, I can report that we are improving.
It helps that we were here a year ago, and it helps that the city and
its residents have flung themselves into the Olympic spirit but it’s a
big place and it’s inevitable that most of the time outside the Olympic
surrounds no-one speaks English. It sure makes life interesting. One
nice touch is the presence of volunteers at assistance stations away
from the Olympic venue. Their slogan is "To become Qingdao’s best
business card!" On the waterfront the scale of preparation is beyond
belief. The building and physical preparation is virtually complete and
our hosts are now concentrating on staff and volunteer training and
systems.
www.team7sailing.com/
Finn sailor Zach Railey explains why this is regatta is important for his Olympic campaign:
Just like last year I would have to say wow, I am actually on the other
side of the world. This place is amazing and the sailing so far has been
much better than expected. We arrived on Aug. 5th and have been doing a
lot of sailing and testing here in China. This venue is a perfect
location for me to get everything ready to go for the trials in early
October. We have light air and swell which is exactly what we are
expecting in Newport Beach. [My coach] Kenneth [Andreasen] and I are
taking as much from this opportunity as we can and so far things have
been great. … Team USA and all the other countries has sent the top
ranked sailor in each class to compete this year so this it truly a test
run of what the Olympics could be like next year. It is great to get the
experience and learn so we can come and win medals next year in 2008.
http://zachrailey.com/