photo by David Hein (daveheinphotography.com)
Midway Report
Half way through the fleet racing CORK is providing a vast variety of conditions, temperatures, rain and sun. The forecast for the first day of racing was for a building breeze. However, one US sailor after day one summed up the variety of conditions as "light, heavy, light, heavy, light, heavy... even in one race!" If varying conditions have made it difficult, the unpredictability is making it even more challenging. Again, the sailors themselves tend to be most succinct. "Typically when a big dark rain cloud is approaching you head straight for it expecting wind. Today, all we got was wet." As result consistency is beginning to be the story for this regatta, at least for the first half. Photo by David Hein (daveheinphotography.com)
Fishing?
When the wind doesn't cooperate there is always something to capture the sailor's attention.
It Takes a Village
Working, waiting, organizing, cheering and consoling, the shore team extends in concentric circles all the way to home sailing centers and yacht clubs. At the outset of racing all of the parents, officials, coaches, friends and supporters at home deserve one gigantic hug and thank you!
Leaders of the Parade
Undeterred by rain both the Town Crier and the Bagpipe player lead the procession to what was an enthusiastic opening ceremony, the highlight had to be a tie between a surprising rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and the cheering and support of each team's introduction and flag waving.
Opening Day - Team USA
All photos in this post by David Hein. Dave has generously agreed to allow us to link photos from his website. Photos can be purchased at daveheinphotography.com
Day Two - First in, last out.
Of all the teams practicing, the US Team spent the most time on the water for this practice session, getting an early start and taking advantage of the great conditions. Long day, almost a regular work day as the team was out from 10am to just a touch after 5pm.
Happy and tired, attentions quickly shifted to relaxing and some World Cup action.
Day One -- Practice and Registration
The majority of the team arrived, rigged and were ready by mid-morning for practice. A beautiful day of variable, shifty breeze kept the team on the water until after 4pm. Post practice everyone moved through a very calm and organized measurement process. They even got some personalized and foreboding advice regarding what would be checked on the water during racing.
Things to do in and around Kingston, by Sarah Lamphere
Kingston Ontario is a college town with emphasis on casual and recreational activities. You don’t need to bring any dress clothes as it is a very low key place. Be sure to bring a fleece jacket and long pants as it can get chilly in the evenings and can be cold during the day as well. There are lots of biking opportunities so bring your bicycle to Kingston. You may also rent one there. There is ‘college town’ shopping in Princess Street and malls on the west side of town with chain stores. Having visited Kingston annually for the past ten years, I have included some of my favorite things to do in the area plus some new ones I’d like to try out. Keep in mind I was entertaining young boys with a passion for history, so historical sites are prevalent.
1. Visit nearby Wolfe Island by car or bicycle-( www.wolfeisland.com)- The Thousand Islands are scattered east of Kingston down the St. Lawrence River. Wolfe Island is the largest and is located where Lake Ontario ends and the St. Lawrence River begins. A free ferry will take you, your car and your bike on a 20 minute ride from Kingston to the island. Ferries run about every hour beginning at about 6:00 a.m. until 2 :00 a.m. Check the ferry schedule for precise times. (www.wolfeisland.com/ferry) The ferry is docks east of the Holiday Inn, just past the Tim Horton’s. Tour in your car or on your bike and spend the day enjoying the remote and rustic feel of the beaches and towns on this island. Have lunch or dinner in a restaurant with a beautiful view of the water. My favorite is the very casual Island Grill on Main Street. Mallard’s Dining Room at Brown’s Bay Inn was also recommended to me. If you are biking, it’s a good idea to bring water and bug spray as shopping is limited there. Every Friday is the ‘Taste of Wolfe Island’ which includes a farmer’s market with fresh produce.
2. Take a boat tour of the Thousand Islands located on the western edge of the St. Lawrence River, in Kingston’s backyard. (Learn the origin of the eponymous salad dressing!) The closest tour boats are operated by the Gananoque Boat Line (www.Ganboatline.com) with tours ranging in length from 1 hour to 8 hours. Day cruises on the 1000 Islands will include sights of Millionaire’s Row, Boldt Castle, the smallest international bridge in the world, and many quaint, rustic cabins nestled on the thousand islands which dot the St. Lawrence River. Tours depart from Gananoque and Ivy Lea, so check the website for departures and times. You may need to bring your passport if you take a tour which stops at Boldt Castle which is in the USA.
3.Tour a 106 ft houseboat, take a thrilling triple-cockpit runabout ride and see over 100 historic boats in The Wood Boat Museum, 750 Mary Street, Clayton, NY, USA.(www.abm.org) It is an hour and a half drive to Clayton NY to visit this museum, but well worth it if you enjoy seeing antique wooden boats ranging from rowing skiffs to turn of the century houseboats. Visit the website for directions and museum information and bring your passport.
4. Kayaking trips- check out (www.1000IKC.com). Get out on the river for a fun day of paddling. The trips are organized with beginners and families in mind. The outfit provides half day (9:00 to 12:00 or 1:00 to 4:00) and full day (9 :00-4 :00) kayak outings for adults and children. Trips depart from Gananoque. All equipment is included and can include gourmet lunches as well.
5. Visit Fort Henry-Located in Kingston, it’s a 19th century fort which includes a ‘living museum’ depicting period military life including musical performances and military demonstrations. Fort is open daily. (www.forthenry.com) A special Sunset Ceremony will be held June 30th from 7:30-9 :00 p.m. and will feature an evening military show featuring numerous performances, a fife and drum corps and a fireworks finale.
6. Rideau Canal-The Rideau Canal is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. With 125 miles of canal it stretches from Kingston to Ottawa and has locks that operate much like when the system opened in 1832. Boat rentals ranging from kayaks to houseboats can be arranged by outside operators. Visit www.rideau-info.com for information and view the boat rentals page for resources. You may need to arrange for rentals in advance.
7. Murney Martello Tower- Kingston has four of these circular Martello towers built to defend Kingston between 1810 and 1847. The Murney Tower is located near the sailing center and contains a collection of antique weapons ranging from small guns to large cannons. Visit (www.incredible-Kingston.com/Martello-Towers) for more details. There is also a Martello Tower in the RMC (Royal Military College-Canada’s Military College) in Kingston, which is another great place to visit.
8. The Military Communications and Electronics Museum www.c-and-e-museum.org/eng)- This museum includes 10,000 sq. ft. of the development of military communications presented in the context of Canadian history. Actually a favorite of my sons who are military history buffs.
9. A great rainy day activity is a visit to the Hershey Chocolate Factory in Smiths Falls. There are tours and of course a yummy gift shop with a vast selection of goodies ranging from broken bars to gift sets. Smiths Falls is about an hour and 20 minute drive on Route 15 northeast of Kingston. (www.biline.ca/Ottawa/content/hershey)
Todd Fedyszyn, Co-Head Coach
Pepe Betinni - Co-Head Coach
As a sailor, Pepe has raced 15 World Championships, 5 Europeans, 5 South Americans, 2 North Americans. He sailed at the Pan American Games and finished 3 times. He finished 2nd at the Worlds in the 29er Class.
Pepe has coached Optis since 1998:
Head Coach at the Opti Worlds 2004 - Team Venezuela
Head Coach at the South American's 2005 - Team Ecuador
Head Coach at the South American's 2006 - Team Argentina
Organized Optimist clinics in Switzerland, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Japan, USA, Canada, Germany, Colombia, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay and Hong Kong
National 29er Coach - Netherlands 2007-2008 (Girls World Champions)
Genoa Fedyszyn - Coach
Nico Winograd - Coach
Nico is the head Opti coach at San Francisco Yacht Club; Coaches Optis at PYSF. Coach of FAST Team (2006-2007); CISA (Europe); Coached clinics at Punta del Este Yacht Club (Uruguay). Nico has qualified for and raced numerous Europe class worlds; Laser Radial Worlds; Cadet Worlds. Competed in several National and International Opti events. Part of the Argentinean National Team as a sailor for over 6 years, until he moved to California. This is Nico's first time coaching a US International Team.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)