Diary
August 23, 2007
Dean Brenner
Chairman of the US Olympic Sailing Program
Team Leader, 2007 Olympic Test Event
The 2007 Olympic Test Event is now completed and the tally tells the story. The USA finished with one gold medal, two fourth place finishes and three other top 10s. Anna Tunnicliffe took home the gold in the Laser Radial, and did a great job throughout the event. Anna is a major player on the world stage and this event is the latest proof of that reality.
Morgan Larson and Pete Spaulding were in silver medal position on the final run of their Medal Race yesterday, but lost control in the big breeze and capsized which moved them down to 4th overall.
And today, our Yngling team of Sally Barkow, Debbie Capozzi and Carrie Howe entered the Medal Race with the overall lead, but were OCS at the start, did not return to start correctly and were pulled from the race at the first mark. This moved them to fourth overall.
When I look back at this event, a few things are clear. We’re competitive where we thought we were. One smoother 49er gybe and an Yngling that was a few feet back on the starting line, and we’d be talking about three medals for Team USA instead of one. Next year is the event that counts, so I am pleased with where we are in those classes.
Our athletes in the remaining classes have some work to do, and they know it without having to hear it from me. But we have a year to go, so there is some time to make some improvements.
Our focus now shifts to our Olympic Trials selection events in October. We’ll name our entire Olympic team during the first two weeks of October. Then the winners will be able to refocus their energies on preparation for the Olympic Games.
I like where we are. We have some strengths and we have some weaknesses. But we know what those weaknesses are, and we’ll be working hard to sort it out. When the Games roll around next year, I know Team USA will be ready.
Good night from Qingdao, China.