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Olympic Regatta: Wadlow and Spaulding Move Up to Third

ATHENS, GREECE (August 20, 2004) -- In multiple races today, the USA’s 49er team of Tim Wadlow (San Diego, Calif.) and Pete Spaulding (Miami, Fla.) turned in continually better performances until they couldn’t get any better. An eighth, a third and then a victory in the last of three races launched them into the bronze-medal position, giving them a boost up from eighth yesterday.

"We had three good starts, which is better than three bad ones. In the third race, we led all the way around," said Wadlow, explaining that 7-11 knot breezes prevailed and were of the typical shifty type that have been endured for the last few days here. "Generally we’re trying to sail conservatively, trying to stay with the others and avoid getting out in a corner on our own. Any day when we can get all three races in the single digits is all right with us. We believe it will be an average of fifth place finishes that will win this regatta."

With nine races finished, the duo is past its half-way mark in the regatta, yet the end is not near. "We still have seven races left, so it’s pretty wide open," said Spaulding. "You saw how it happened in one day. We’re just happy to be in the hunt and still have more chances to go for a medal."

A ninth and a 19th today put Meg Gaillard (Jamestown, R.I./Pelham, N.Y.) in 13th overall, with only one race to go and no hope for medaling. Over ten races she has had difficulty breaking out of a mid-fleet holding pattern. " My speed hasn’t been as good as I’d hoped for. My starts have been bad, and I haven’t been sailing as smart as I’m used to."

Laser sailor Mark Mendelblatt (St. Petersburg, Fla.), also with only one race left to sail, maintained a 10th-place overall today with finishes of 16-6 today. "I’ve had a mix of good and bad luck, which is no better or worse than what’s happened to any other sailor here. The regatta hasn’t suited my sailing strengths. I’m better in predictable oscillating breezes. Even though it has been fluky, the lead guys are those who can make big comebacks. That’s what I haven’t been able to do."

For Mistral Women’s sailor Lanee Butler Beashel (Aliso Viejo, Calif.), who finished fourth at the Sydney Olympics and is counting this as her fourth consecutive time to represent the U.S. at the Olympics, a 14th in today’s single race put her in 17th overall, frustratingly far from a medal position: "I haven’t rounded the top mark in the top five and I haven’t been able to round ahead of what I rounded at my last mark," said Beashel. "It’s sad for me because this will be my last Olympics in the Mistral. When I started, I felt like I had a good shot, like I could be the underdog." The Mistral women have five more races in their 11-race series.

In Mistral Men’s, two races for Peter Wells (La Canada/Newport Beach, Calif.) resulted in a 22-29. He counts the 29 as a throwout for 25th place and also has five races to go.

What’s Next – Saturday, August 21, all eyes will be on the USA’s leading 470 Men’s team of Paul Foerster (Rockwall, Texas) and Kevin Burnham (Miami, Fla.), who are assured of at least a silver medal and have one race, one chance, to secure the gold. Also sailing their medal round will be the 470 Women, Finn and Yngling classes. The Europe, Laser and 49ers will take a reserve day, while the Mistral (men and women) class continues sailing and Star and Tornados begin their series. On Sunday, August. 22, Europe and Laser will sail their medal rounds, while 49ers resume racing, Star and Tornados continue, and Mistral observe a reserve day.

Additional background information on the events, and the U.S. athletes, is available online at www.ussailing.org/Olympics/OlympicGames/2004/

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Current Standings of U.S. Sailors: (for full results http://www.sailing.org/olympics2004/)