Team USA’s Anna Tunnicliffe is riding high today after winning a gold medal in the Laser Radial class at The Good Luck Beijing - 2007 Qingdao International Regatta in Qingdao, China, the second test event before the 2008 Olympic Games. With a new gold charm circling her neck and arms outstretched in victory, Tunnicliffe basked on the top step of the podium in front of an American flag. 

"The awards ceremony was an amazing experience," said Tunnicliffe. "It really makes me want to come back and do it again next year at the Olympics."  

Tunnicliffe felt the pressure early on in the regatta, but she quickly changed her tune in order to reach her goals. "I had a mind switch, which allowed me to sail fast, smart and have fun at the same time,” she said. Strong current and little wind contributed to "tricky" sailing, which Tunnicliffe said was mentally draining. "Keeping the fun around was key."

Dean Brenner, the Team Leader at this event and the Chairman of the Olympic Sailing Program, was upbeat about the team’s overall performance in Qingdao. "Team USA had a good event here in China, with some successes, some disappointments and plenty of lessons learned,” he said. “Anna's Gold Medal in the Laser Radial proves again what was already clear: She's a major player internationally."

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