Events Happening on the Water!
Sailing Updates
Final Paralympic Update – Sept. 19, 2008
The Paralympics are officially over, and everyone is now on their way home. For the last update I have put together two emails from John and Stacie sharing their feelings on the whole experience.
From John:
Wanted to send out a HUGE Thank you to everyone who was involved both directly and indirectly in our campaign, all our sponsors and team mates David Cook and Brenda Hopkin.
It wouldn't of been possible without you all.
The event went really well for our team, all of us were ready and we delivered when we needed to. Stacie was amazing throughout, she really came through for us and our coach Steve was rock solid. We also had great support from Brian Todd and Craig Guthrie throughout the event. Two other people I would like to recognize is our sport psych Colin Guthrie who helped keep my head together and our physio Dinah Hampson who kept my body going.
It was truly a great experience which I will cherish forever.
It really hit home when we were up on the podium and I watched the Canadian flag flying for us! It was at that point when the tears flowed and felt so very PROUD!
Qingdao was an amazing venue, with fantastic volunteers which we would of been lost without.
John
From Stacie:
Hello Everyone,
The past few days have been filled with celebration, sightseeing in Beijing and the spectacular closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
The sailing ended with a podium experience that I will always remember. We approached the final day a mere one point ahead of the Australians so the fight was on for Silver. The US had cinched Gold.
On the first of two races Australia had their best result of the week with both the speed and tactics to finish first. Now the Aussies were two points ahead of us so we needed to gain three points in the next race. After an even start, the Aussies beat us to the windward mark. However they fouled their spinnaker hoist and we passed them downwind and to the leeward mark. Unfortunately we could not hold our lane as they had awesome upwind speed they passed us on the next leg and to the finish. While we were slightly disappointed in the final day, we were also jubilant to have medaled in one the greatest sporting events in the world.
Once off the dock we were escorted to the medal ceremonies. It was here when it finally sunk in. This was a very emotional experience. We felt such pride to stand on the podium and to be given a beautiful bronze medal inset with jade. It felt like a dream.
My teammate John and I could not have made this journey or achieved this success without the support and encouragement of so many people. This includes our coaches, teammates and training partners, sponsors, friends, family and colleagues. Thank you all.
Stacie
Beijing Paralympics Update - Update 7 - September 13, 2008
JOHN & STACIE HAVE WON A BRONZE MEDAL FOR CANADA!
Friday was the last day of racing and two races were sailed. John and Stacie placed 3rd and 4th in these races. While not good enough to hold onto second place, they finished with a solid third place.
The teams were out celebrating last night so no more information was available. Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed and supported the Team U Can 2 dream over the past 3 years.
You are invited to view Team Ucan2's photo album: Paralympics
Beijing Paralympics Update - Update 6 - September 12, 2008
The days are starting to run together in China.
Today’s racing was delayed just like yesterday. After a short onshore AP the RC sent us out to race. Upon arrival we had a totally unpredicted and good breeze from the north. John and Stacie had an excellent start heading up the course leading the fleet. Before the start they were heading towards the pin end and the breeze went totally left. John and Stacie were going full speed at the gun when they tacked over and were sailing higher and faster than the entire fleet They were locked in a small Battle with SWE (who had started on port below CAN) and so let USA sneak by on the left hand side as the breeze continued to back (shift to the left). On the downwind leg they continued to extend from SWE and GBR and caught USA. Up the second beat they were in a good position to extend on GBR who had found their way into 3rd. The separation between CAN and GBR was too large for CAN to worry about GBR, so instead they focused on USA. For the second downwind leg the tide had hit maximum which drastically changed the apparent wind angles. The leaders were headed straight for the mark; John and Stacie had better speed and closed the gap to 4 boat lengths at the leeward gate before heading to the finish. USA looked like they had it all sewn up, but John and Stacie threw in a last gybe hoping to catch a break. They did not and ended up 2nd. SWE did us a huge favour by passing GBR who were sailing too low on the downwind leg. This extended CAN’s buffer on fourth and our result put us into 2nd place. AUS had a 9th place finish. This changed their drop race allowing us a 2 point lead going into the next race of the day.
Race two. The breeze built steadily and swung to the predicted sea breeze direction and then went light. CAN had a slower start and slid into bad air behind CHN, afterwhich they tacked out to try and clear their lane. They fouled SIN on a crossing and had to do a penalty turn. By the time all was said and done at the windward mark they were 3rd from last. They ground down IRL and almost got CHN back throughout the rest of the race. John and Stacie ended up 8th in this race, which will become their new drop race. This leaves CAN in 2nd place by one point.
Two Races have been scheduled for tomorrow to make up for the loss of one race over the last two days due to lack of wind.
That’s all from China for now. Off to bed for a good night sleep and back on task tomorrow. Sprits are high and the team is focused. We are confident that John and Stacie will extend their position on AUS and bring home Silver.
Paul Tingley sits in first place with a 5 point lead.
For those following the results on the official website just a reminder we have 2 drops after 9 races.
Beijing Paralympics Update - Update 5 - September 11, 2008
Hello from Qing Dao!
Yesterday was a needed day off where the teams all relaxed and did a little site seeing and shopping. John and a few others from the team went off to a temple for a look and a blessing. For the coaches we got down to business dropping rigs on the boats for a check over and a mid regatta tune up and reapplying the hull finish. We have been hauling the boats out every day to prevent growth, but we have still had to clean up the usual harbour scum rings. We did manage to get out into town for a look around. We were treated to the 7 floor "Circuit City" electronic megastore. It was right out of something like Blade Runner. Overwhelmed we left and headed back to the village which is really starting to feel like home.
Today’s wind predictions were for light with a possibility of a sea breeze developing later on ... maybe. We were postponed on shore until 2ish. After a rush to get out we slogged around in some wicked chop in 2-4 knots. Once the breeze stabilized at 6 knots the RC got underway setting the course. By the time the SKUDS started the breeze was back down to 4 knots. John and Stacie wound up with a great start and led the fleet out left. AUS and USA tacked out right. CAN was in good position but decided to put a loose cover on the fleet and continue to the right with their closest competitors of AUS and USA. GBR had a less than spectacular start and took a flyer out left and it paid off, with them leading into the top mark. CAN lost AUS and rounded in 3rd. On the reach they closed the gap on AUS then headed down the course right on their tail. Gybing across the course they tried to control AUS and the two boats both managed to close in on GBR. John and Stacie accidentally fouled Aus at the leeward mark and had to do a quick penalty turn. This put them behind MAS and USA. After the penalty CAN headed out to the left towards the sea wall and the next shift. When they tacked back they looked great and were back in the hunt rounding in 4th. They fought back to 3rd once on the run to the finish but then the wind went flat and the tide switched. A bottle neck of GBR, AUS, CAN, USA and MAS at the leeward gate made for a tense moment as the lead changed several times as the fleet struggled to pass the gate. In the end CAN squeaked out a 3rd over AUS after both passed MAS at the finish line.
We are firmly in 3rd place one point out of 2nd and still in touch with first place. GBR sits in 4th with 22 points to our 12. The plan for tomorrow is 3 races. With light winds predicted we shall see what unfolds. 2 races have been scheduled for Sat to make up for today’s lack of racing.
In the 2.4 M Paul Tingley fell back to 2nd place where he is tied on points with two other boats and one point behind USA.
On the Sonar course the RVYC boys finished 4th in the only race of the day.
There is some footage of the Skud race that John and Stacie won at the end of the video:
http://www.cbc.ca/sports/paralympics/archive/?playlistId=8b0ae2fef4a262707579242f395a085255f2530a&videoId=850869688
Beijing Paralympics Update - Update 4 - September 9, 2008
The racing conditions today were very similar to yesterday.
We awoke to promising breeze and a great forecast of up to 12 knots. Unfortunately the haze did not clear enough so we sailed in 3 to 5 knots. The tide was just going slack at the start, with the Skuds off first.
Race one saw John and Stacie heading out left after a good start. Hanging in a little longer then they should have (or wanted to) they struggled to maintain the lead they had at the start. They were successful and managed to say in first, rounding with a five boat length lead over NZL and USA. Heading across the top of the course they gained a little before heading down to the leeward gate on the outside of the Trapezoid course. Going a little slower then AUS, they were slowly being ground down. Some boats split out toward the other side of the course while John and Stacie continued. Unfortunately this put them in some negative current while the rest of the fleet enjoyed slack or dying flood carrying them down to the leeward gate. John and Stacie rounded in 4th. The fleet flipped over to the right side of the course and CAN headed left to the first shift on the beat and tacked back crossing into 3rd on USA and AUS tails. Sitting in third the front three boats launched out further into the lead. John and Stacie finished 3rd to go with their previous 3rds from the day before. Interestingly, China and GBR fell back quite a bit this race, putting CAN solidly into third overall.
Race two was a spectacular show. John and Stacie got an okay start in the bottom third of the line headed out left and then tacked to go with the fleet. They rounded in fourth and then worked every little angle and shift to drop back in the fleet to 6th. In a confusing and painful mark rounding they were spun outside of AUS and GBR who rounded very wide. Heading out left again the Canadians hit the first shift and tacked back to cross into third behind AUS and USA. With little time left on the leg the next shift went to the AUS and US boats with CAN taking their transoms to stay firmly in third. AUS and USA battled it out for first. USA passed AUS just before the gate (rolling them to windward unchallenged). USA 1, AUS 2, CAN 3.
Race three was a lesson in covering provided by the Canadians. After the start the CAN headed out left in the full Ebb tacking just below the lay line and road the current up to the mark rounding with a comfortable lead. They led all the way around the course. Their perfect downwind set them up to cover the fleet upwind, which they continued to the leeward gate. They finished 30 seconds ahead of the AUS boat. There is not much to describe about this race because John and Stacie sailed it nearly perfectly!
Tomorrow is scheduled as a lay day, and since we have completed 5 races we will get it off. This will be the first time I have ever had an actual day off at an event in my coaching career. We will be doing a once over on the boat and a reapplication of the hull finish before getting out of the village for a look around Qing Dao.
Racing will continue on Thursday. For up to date results please visit http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRMP/ENG/Schedule/SA.shtml and click on Fleet results for Skud 18 after Race 5.
Beijing Paralympics Update - Update 3 - September 8, 2008
Today (Sunday) was the practice race. It was an early start for the coaches who had to launch the boats, but this meant our athletes were the first boats off the dock. We launched after some good laughs on the dock thanks to Coach Craig Guthrie, south park impersonation machine.
With the breeze from 90-100 degrees, the committee set up for the practice race. After a good warm up John and Stacie dialed up and killed the start with speed and height. They lead with china up the first leg. Rounding just behind China but with a better spinnaker launch they propelled themselves into first place on the top reach. On the downwind they went towards the sea wall for tide relief and lost a little over the leg as GBR, China and others worked towards the middle of the course. Rounding in first and heading for the middle in better tide the Canadian Skud tacked last into shore and wound up inside and on top of the fleet. As the early tacking boats were forced to tack out on a header Stacie and John extended their lead and fell into a loose cover which enabled them to lead the rest of the race.
Just before the finish they pulled out so as to not finish the practice race, which is supposed to be bad luck. Superstitious or not, Canada proved it is in the running for a medal this games.
The Launching Ceremonies were last night and after chatting with some coaches who were here at the Olympics; it seems our ceremonies were more spectacular and heartfelt.
We are ready to race. More tomorrow.
Chi Chi
It has begun. (Monday)
After the amazing opening ceremonies last night John and Stacie were ready to rock this afternoon. However the wind was not ready to cooperate. After floating around for a while the Race Committee sent the Skud and 2.4 sailors in for a break. The wind was from a very strange direction and patchy and inconsistent, never mind the 1.5 knot current running with the wind that would have made racing very difficult. It was a good decision by the RC.
After a short break on land the wind swung to the predicted 100-120 degrees and we were sent back out. After furiously gathering info out on the course, it looked like the race was going to favor the right side. John and Stacie had a great start with speed and height about a third down from the pin launching themselves into the lead group. China tacked early and John and Stacie carried on for 10 boat lengths
then flipping just below the lay line where they sailed the nice long tack up to the mark and tacked onto the starboard lay line with four boat lengths to go. Downwind they lead USA and China to the outer loop and half way down before splitting from China to cover USA, GBR, AUS and SIN who had gybed towards the wall. China found pressure and stormed down the right side of the leg while the fleet wallowed in a lull closer in. There was some tide relief closer to the wall but not enough to compensate for the pressure and apparent wind advantage on the right. They lost China but where still in touch. Up wind the game shifted to cover USA. After splitting from USA for a favorable puff USA snuck by at the mark. CAN was now tailing CHN and USA in third where they stayed comfortably to the finish.
Race two saw an increase in breeze prior to the start up to 8 knots from the 6-7 we had been sailing in. It quickly dropped to 4 knots and shifted right. The RC compensated and we where off and ready to go. After a decent mid line start John and Stacie found themselves in a lee bow position with SWE which they tacked out of and took five transoms before tacking back. This looked absolutely catastrophic from the coach box 50 meters below the start line. GBR was the next to tack out but from behind. In the end the breeze went a little right so the early tack helped as CHN ended up far out to the left. John and Stacie rounded 3rd going from outhouse to penthouse, (or at least a nice condo anyways) where they hung on until the finish. They slowly gained on USA and AUS and extended on CHN and GBR.
All in all it was a fantastic start to the regatta. John and Stacie are only 3 points out of 1st and 1 point out of 2nd. It is still anyone’s game but John and Stacie are in a good position to capitalize on a fantastic first day.
On another note Paul Tingley in the 2.4 placed 1st and 1st in the races today. I have not seen the Sonar so nothing to report there yet.
Beijing Paralympics Update - Update 2 - September 5, 2008
Today was a day off for our sailors, with this evening marking the official beginning of the games. Tonight everyone watched the opening ceremonies on the big screen TV in the dining hall. It was spectacular. What a great feeling to be representing your country at such an epic event.
 Today was spent with everyone relaxing and the coaches doing some boat work. The last few days we have been training intensly, focussing on race day simulation. We have been training with the other Skuds whenever possible, and speed wise we are as fast as any in the light and variable conditions. The practice race tomorrow will be our first test against the entire fleet. John and Stacie are focussed and ready to compete. The feeling in the boat park is very mellow and light right now.
Qingdao has a launching ceremony planned for the athletes and support staff tomorrow evening. The opening ceremonies and last May's event kick off were spectacular, so I am sure we will not be disappointed. Marc Shaw and Don Terlson will be our flag bearer and assistant flag bearer respectively. Both are quite honoured.
From tomorrow on you will hear from us on a more regular basis as we will be sending updates daily until the end of the event. Racing officially starts on Monday with 2 races. Our last day of racing will be on Saturday before we pack up and move to Beijing for the end of the games and closing ceremony.
Thank you to all our Families, Friends, and our sponsors who have made this dream a reality.
That is all from China for now.
PS - No TV or web coverage is planned for the sailing, but the other paralympic events in Beijing will be covered on:
The CBC on the following dates:
Saturday, Sept. 6: 19:00 to 20:00 (Opening Ceremony)
Saturday, Sept. 13: 13:00 to 15:30
Saturday, Sept. 20: 12:00 to 13:00
Saturday, Sept. 27: 14:00 to 15:30
web coverage: UniversalSports.com, paralympicsport.tv, and
youtube.com/user/ParalympicSportTV
Beijing Paralympics Update - Update 1 - September 4, 2008
After arriving in China a few days ago, all teams are in high spirits. After a gruelling day of travel we are all back to normal and the Jet Lag that knocked us all out early in the evening in the beginning is pretty much gone. However the summer is not over yet here so the heat and humidity is high and exhausting and will be a factor during the regatta. With the high heat comes hot water and quick growth which means daily haul outs to keep growth on the boats to a minimum. After one day (24hrs) you can feel the sandpaper flecks of barnacle growth. As far as the water conditions the coast is clear. No algae to be seen. The algaei booms from the Olympics are still in place just in case.
For those unaware of the Paralympic Team in China we have:
Sonar - Team Raven: Ken Kelly, Don Terlson, and Marc Shaw with coach Don Martin from Royal Victoria Yacht Club
Skud 18 - Team UCan2: Stacie Louttit and John McRoberts with me (Steve McBride) as their coach, Royal Victoria Yacht Club
2.4mR - Paul Tingley and coach Craig Guthrie Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron
Team Leader Brian Todd from the Canadian Yachting Association.
We have three races scheduled per day during the competition, but with the elusive Qing Dao breeze we could be in for some long waits on and off the water before racing even begins. The IFDS has thought of this so we are limited to how much time we can actually spend on the water. This is a very good thing in the hot conditions but it will test our limits even with the time restrictions. We are trying to simulate these long days in our training in order to get used to it, and there is enough time to recover fully for the next day if you do it right.
For those that enjoy weather puzzles, there is an excellent weather site to follow along with what is going on here in China. http://afqx.qingdao.gov.cn/english/index.aspxor
For results and pictures here is the Paralympic event site:
http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/index.shtml
Updates are available as well on the CYA website:
www.sailing.ca
So besides acclimatizing and training over the last 5 days we have not done much. We have really just been focussed on the task before us. Most of us have managed to sneak out of the venue for a walk to the local market or down the boardwalk to get away from the site (which is world class) for a break. I think that team Raven made it out to a local temple for a good luck blessing. Ultimately we are here to race and we cannot wait for things to get underway. All teams look strong and promising lining up with the best in Paralympic sailing. This does not mean that it is going to be a walk in the park for our Canadian sailors. I have heard several times how the sailing bar has been raised since Athens. I would say it has been launched to new heights. The teams and athletes here to compete are world class and the Canadians are no exception.
Yesterday was the practice day for measurement. The Canadian and Australian teams were selected as the test group for the team of measurers. All boats measured were on weight and ready to race. Each class had extensive measurements undertaken including tank testing all of the 2.4mR to ensure they are all floating on the measurement marks. Country Flag decals, event decals and names were fitted and the Skud's received their new Canadian Flag Spinnaker which we test sailed today. Very cool!
There has only been one small hiccup so far. Our team uniforms where delayed 5 days. As always we took it in stride and had a lot of fun trying to match for events and meals. Finally the gear arrived today and we all got dressed up to meet the mayor and for dinner. In our muted tones (the wild stuff we save for later) many compliments from other countries could be heard throughout the dining hall.
We have some new additions to our team. Shirley and Kelly our designated helpers from the host society have been fantastic! Shirley is actually from Kingston (she went to school there and her family now lives there) so she has been around the sailing scene with CORK before. We also have a physiotherapist Dinah Johnson on hand to assist with keeping us all healthy; we very much appreciate all the help we have received from our extended team.
Well it is now 10:30 and I am off to bed. More from Qing Dao tomorrow.
Beijing: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Day 4 finally saw the return of the prevailing winds. With lighter and more predictable winds we were ready to race.
Race one: Great start but a little slow off the line saw John and Stacie heading for the top mark and out to the right side. The fleet split and neither side really paid. At the top mark CAN rounded in 5th. The reach across the top did not see many changes. John and Stacie spit downwind first and gained from the inside. Failing to tack back and cover they lost the leaders. They rounded the second windward mark in 5th again. The boats headed back downwind where John and Stacie closed with the lead pack and fought it out with Singapore. They caught them at the mark in a quick gybing battle, finishing 4th.
Race 2 after the RC reset the course to the new cold and damp wind direction (shifting the unpredicted direction) we got back down to some racing. The left was favoured and after a great start USA and CAN ended up going right looking for the shift that would not emerge. Sitting in 3rd John and Stacie chased the leaders down. After losing China on the downwind to a wind shift they headed out left towards the sea wall grinding down china on boat speed alone and gaining on the boats that went right looking for a shift or change in current. Rounding closest to the leaders who failed to notice the skewed course, small right hand shift and tide change in shore the Canadians bravely gybed heading straight for the mark and passed the entire fleet in half a leg before the fleet gybed to consolidate. John and Stacie got their first official first place (after the practice race) tying AUS for 3rd but beating them on the tie breaker.
Tomorrow is the final day of racing with one race to go. USA and GBR are tied for 1st with USA holding the tie breaker lead.
That’s all for now from China.
For the official results please visit the Quingdao IFDS International Regatta Website at www.2008ifdsqdregatta.com (for English, click the "English" button top-right).
Beijing: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Today was a slightly wetter and cooler version of Monday. With the wind out of the North and building breeze in the morning we got underway at 1:00 as scheduled. With the breeze directly out of the city there was no significant advantage on either side. The breeze oscillated back and forth 20-30 degrees while the breeze peaked at around 18 knots. This is lake sailing at its finest... on an ocean... with current.
In race one CAN got off to a decent start but failed to accelerate with the leaders. They lost height and had to tack out to clear a lane. After consolidating with the fleet another poor tack caused John and Stacie to fall out of phase. Thankfully USA forced them towards the next shift at the windward mark and they climbed back into 2nd on the tail of GBR. On the outer loop of the trapezoid CAN and USA did not get far enough into the heavier breeze on the one side of the course. John and Stacie struggled with downwind speed in the chop and large swell losing to USA and AUS. On the upwind leg they consistently got bounced onto the headed tack and slowly faded into 5th place.
Race two was carbon copy of race one, with John and Stacie getting a good start but with no speed. They were bounced around the fleet and managed to salvage a 5th on the final downwind leg by passing china on the reach into the finish.
We are all very tired and worn out from the travel and cold weather and rain. Today we hauled the boat to give it a clean and found no growth just some harbour grime on the waterline.
The host committee and the hotel staff have been amazing. We cannot walk 10 feet without a friendly greeting or smile. We as participants will have to adjust to home life where we are not treated like rock stars wherever we go or stared at or having our picture taken by everyone with a camera. We do stick out here rather obviously.
The Hospital staff have been taking exceptional care of Ken Kelly who broke his leg yesterday when he fell of his seat during a tack. He is feeling well in good spirits and heading home on the planned departure date.
Beijing: Monday, May 12, 2008
John and Stacie had a very consistent day today. Two 3rds kept them in 2nd place one point ahead of the USA and just behind GBR the leaders. The breeze separated the fleet from those that can and those that cannot. GBR lead the first race lead and held on extending their lead on every leg, with GBR and CAN chasing them. With a wind strength gradient across the course and large shifting puffs coming out of the right there were many gains to be had if you were paying attention.
Race 2 saw similar results with John and Stacie in hot pursuit all around the course but they could not crack USA and GBR.
Beijing: Sunday, May 11, 2008
Today was typical Qingdao conditions but a few extra knots. There was a very large swell out of the East with chop and back slop from the breakwater. We were the first Skud on the water which was great. As we rounded the pier we were greeted by a Chinese drum band (for lack of proper terminology). After sailing around the course checking for breeze we waited around the start area for the first gun. On time and off to the races we went. J and S had an ok start but got mixed up in bad air and slid back in the fleet a little. Rounding with the leaders a tight reach to the outer loop of the trapezoid where the real racing began. AUS, GBR, CHN, CAN and SIN mixed it up on the downwind leg in a building breeze. J and S hung onto 3rd at the leeward mark. The fleet headed out right looking for favourable current that had evaporated or was not enough to compensate for the shift and pressure on the left that CHN and SIN headed too. (Local knowledge is a powerful tool). CHN rounded in first by a large margin. J and S rounded in fourth where they stayed to the finish.
Race 2: An awkward questionable barge start saw J and S foul the Aussies. A quick spin and they headed hard right towards the building breeze and shift salvaging a 2nd place rounding at the windward mark behind the US. Aus was nipping at their heels, they led AUS to the outer loop. Once again being closer to shore provided tide relief and a large shift which enabled the AUS to pass J and S and lead into the leeward gate. J and S established an inside overlap but where verbally denied room. They did not press the issue until later back at the dock and dinner where an impromptu RRS lesson ensued. After rounding and no change up the course the downwind was a real nail-biter. J and S pushed hard in shore while the US and AUS fought hard further out off the wall to their detriment. The US had their lead ground down to a few boat lengths. AUS and the US headed for the gate while S and J headed back in to shore one more time before gybing and heading to the gate with more speed and in better pressure. Rounding right on the stern of the Aussies they fought to the finish line. The Aussies sailed them past the finish gybing back but Stacie gybed more smoothly and quickly than the AUS boat, getting inside overlap and gybing across the line a pole length ahead putting them into 2nd for the race and 2nd overall.
So far the trip has fulfilled our on the water hopes better then we could have wished.
Beijing: Saturday, May 10, 2008
 We have been on the water training for one day after getting our boat late. Yesterday was 12-15 knots with very big swell and chop. Whoever said there was no wind here did not get it right at all. The venue has killer sailing conditions and a great sailing area with a fantastic backdrop of Qingdao and the coastal mountains. We had an excellent training session with the US boat. Unfortunately we broke our pole by running into the US boat we where sparring with in a covering drill. John tacked WAAAAY too close and broke the spin pole.
After finding another pole.... thank you GBR... we were back in action for the practice race today. Wind was light 3.5-5.5 knots from the East with a predicted shift to the SSE over the afternoon, with a slacking or weakening tide (still 1 knot over most of the course). A scheduled 1:00 start saw the Skuds off first sailing a one loop outer trap course. After a great start with a left shift John and Stacie where the farthest port and closest to the line. After a short time on starboard J and S tacked onto Port and were almost able to lay the windward mark due to the tide push and wind shift. With great boat speed and height they lifted away from the fleet and led to the first mark. The current was flowing up course so staying slightly to port of centre up the course was the way to go. Aus and US followed closely behind. Sailing across the reach was difficult while carrying the spinnaker. The first downwind had the fleet sail right along the sea wall where there was some tide relief. Basically English bay reversed. Aus gybed out into the tide and lost 4 places by the time the gybed back. The US Skud gybed and J and S hesitated with the cover carrying on into the break water and gybing 4 boat lengths later. When they converged J and S gybed back into a good position, headed back to the wall and gybed back out first leading into the leeward gate. The US boat picked up a garbage bag on the rudder and slowed right down to the rest of the fleet. J and S stretched out on the upwind comfortably leading the rest of the way around the course to take the horn at the finish.
Overall it was a good start to the event.
Beijing: Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ne Hao! Hello from Qingdao! We had no problems on our flight from Vancouver to Beijing. In Beijing we got bumped off the plane by the Norway team as they "only allow 2 people with chairs on the flight at a time.” So after a 4 hour delay we got a flight with 8 people in chairs on the plane. The Air China Staff had a total freak out when US, CAN, IRL, all showed up at the same time.
Today was kind of useless in the sailing/boat department as our container has been delayed due to a power outage at the port. After speaking with the shipping people we found out The container will arrive in China tonight and then be released by the 8th afternoon at the latest. Hopefully it can happen before then. The hotel rooms are awesome! The food is Wicked! and the people are fall over friendly. We have however been asked by armed guards to move over there or away from that or don't stand there 4 times. The language barrier is HUUUGE!!!!! We are off to the market to look at the crazy movie place where new releases are $1 Cdn.
Archived Sailing Updates.
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Competition & Training Schedule
- Americas Regatta, December 2006
- January 2007 Training Camp
- Miami Olympic Classes, January 2007
- March 2007 Training Camp
- Mid-Winters Regatta, March 2007
- May 2007 Training Camp
- July 2007 Training Camp
- August 2007 Training Camp
- September 2007 Pre-Worlds Training Camp
- Worlds in Rochester New York in 2007
- October 2007 Training Camp
- November 2007 Training Camp
- Americas Regatta, December 2007
- January 2008 Training Camp
- Miami Olympic Classes, January 2008
- February 2008 Training Camp
- Mid-Winters Regatta, February 2008
- April 2008 Training Camp
- Pre-Paralympic Regatta in May 2008
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Competition Results
Team UCAN2 crews placed 1st and 2nd out of 6 teams at the Canadian National Two Person Qualifying Regatta, held in St. Petersburg, Florida, March 24-26, 2006. This event was held in conjunction with the Disabled/Open Midwinter’s Regatta, providing competition with USA disabled and able-bodied sailing teams. This event was the first major competition on the journey to represent Canada in Beijing in 2008. Notwithstanding the strong winds and rough seas, John McRoberts and Stacie Louttit were the top Canadian team, placing 3rd overall with 20 points. David Cook and Brenda Hopkin were right behind with 21 points. Top disabled team was Karen Mitchell and Mike Grimm, our USA sparring partners who placed 2nd with 19 points. The top team was local Martin 16 dealer Dennis Peck and his wife Brenda, an able-bodied team with 9 points.
Team UCAN2 sailors have now qualified to be on the Canadian Sailing Team. In doing so, this brings a level of coaching and financial support from the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) and Sports Canada.
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Training Plan/Milestones
Team UCAN2 has developed an effective and efficient training schedule to ensure that the team members are physically and mentally at their peak and therefore sailing their best for each up and coming event.
On-the-water and dry-land training started soon after the official announcements from IFDS on the type of boat and team member composition. Team UCAN2 first training camp was in Victoria for a week in November and early December 2005 despite snow flurries and freezing temperatures.
Due to geographical limitations of the team, Brenda now living in the East Kootenays, training together will be intense during the times Brenda can be in Victoria in order to reduce travel costs and maximize time together. Under the capable direction of our coach, Steve McBride, each team member has developed a self-improvement and fitness program to best meet our goal of Gold in Beijing in 2008.
In late May 2006, our two new SKUD18s should arrive. This doesn’t leave much time to learn the complexities of a new boat, design, build, test and outfit the necessary technical aids. The team plans to continue our training by racing against able-bodied sailors locally and regionally. This is all in preparation for our next major competition events in December 2006 and January 2007.
Our ultimate goal is to represent Canada and bring back the Gold from the Paralympics in Beijing in 2008. To overcome David and John’s physical limitations, the team is in the process of developing technical aids to improve their overall performance. For David push/pull lever steering or electronic steering are a priority. Both John and David require a gimbaled seat and a harness for safety reasons and to conserve their limited energy and maintain stability.
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