For Immediate Release
Contact: Jan Harley, Media Pro, 401.849.0220

USA’s Paralympic Sailors Wrap-Up Silver and Bronze in Athens

ATHENS, Greece (September 29, 2004) – With two medals in two events at the 2004 Paralympic Games, U.S. sailors took home their biggest haul of medals yet in the brief history of the sport at the Paralympics.  But as these Games continue to gain prominence, and as the sailing competition continues to improve, the U.S. delegation fully recognizes the significance of their achievements.

"Previously there were four or five boats in contention," said Team Leader Serge Jorgensen (Sarasota, Fla.).  "Now we're seeing countries like Poland and Greece winning races. The level of competition has gone up exponentially since Sydney. These are truly elite athletes."

Tom Brown (Northeast Harbor, Maine) became the only repeat medalist from Sydney’s 2000 Paralympic Games when he earned the silver medal in the 2.4 Metre event in Athens.  The surprising U.S. Sonar entry of John Ross-Duggan (Newport Beach, Calif.), Brad Johnson (Milwaukee, Wis./Hollywood, Fla.) and J.P. Creignou (St. Petersburg, Fla.), and alternate Roger Cleworth (Brandon, Fla.), shocked the field to earn the bronze medal.

"This is a whole different animal," said Ross-Duggan in comparing his bronze medal to the one he won in 1996 when sailing debuted in the Paralympic Games as an exhibition event. "The level of competition in this sport just continues to escalate. It's truly amazing how well these sailors performed."

The professional organization of the Paralympic Regatta, which was sailed on the waters of the Saronic Gulf from the scenic Agios Kosmas Sailing Centre, only adds to the growing attraction of the Paralympics for sailors.

"This was the finest Paralympic Games we've seen," said Jorgensen, coach of the US Disabled Sailing Team for the past four years and US SAILING’s 2002 National Coach of the Year.  "Having the same organizing committee handle both the Olympic and Paralympic Games was helpful. The venue and conditions were excellent and the professionalism, organization and expertise of the staff and volunteers was phenomenal."

But while other countries continue to emerge in the sport, the two medals won on the Saronic Gulf helped solidify the USA's place among sailing’s elite.

Concentrating on teamwork rather than results in competitions leading up to the Paralympic Games, the USA’s Sonar team stunned the experts with their bronze medal performance.

"This is by far the best team I have ever had," said Ross-Duggan of Johnson and Creignou. "It is a privilege to sail with them. They are both experts in their areas on the boat. They're great sailors."

The team sailed to a victory in race two and led the Sonar fleet after four races. In the final race of the series the U.S. edged the German team by one point to capture the bronze medal. Israel won the gold medal, and The Netherlands earned the silver.

For Brown, the end of these Paralympic Games may have signaled the end of his international sailing career.

"I think I'm done. I think this is it," said Brown. "It would have been nice to get the gold and run away saying 'I'm outta here,' but this is good."

Brown entered the final day of the series tied for the overall lead with Damien Seguin (France).  But Seguin topped Brown in the final race to win the gold medal by one point. Thierry Schmitter of The Netherlands took the bronze.

Like many great athletes, Brown may be coaxed into returning to competition.  As member of the 1999 U.S. Sailing Team (he is the only person to have been ranked on both the able-bodied and disabled national sailing teams), Brown competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the Soling class. The lure of an Olympic medal to add to his Paralympic collection may be too great.

"If they add the Soling class back to the Olympics, I may have to re-evaluate a little bit," he laughed.

For more information, visit www.ussailing.org/olympics/OlympicGames/2004/

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