First Day of Racing

Today was the first day of sailing competitions. It's fairly late here so I will keep it short. The Finn, Star and Women's Match Racing all had their starts today. The Finn is the heavyweight single dingy. Our athlete, Zach Railey, won a silver medal in Beijing and is hoping to podium again. His main competition is 3 time Gold medalist GB Sailor Ben Ainslie. The Star is a keel boat for the big boys (2 men). Everyone tells me this tends to be the most competitive class because sailors from the other classes move into this class as they age but bring their experience and knowledge. The women's match racing is one on one racing (match racing) as opposed to fleet racing (all the boats racing at once). Our women's team of Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandermoer and Deb Capozzi are one of the favorites for gold. Anna won a gold in Beijing in the Radial. Day one was o.k. Not stellar but fortunately in sailing there are 2 races per day over 5 days with a 6th day for a medal race. It scores like a cross country race so 1 pt for a first place, 2 pts for second place and so one and so forth. The match racing is more of an elimination and not scored. The 49er is the only class that sails 3 races per day and then a medal race day because these boats are high performance and FAST. I sometimes have to cover my eyes when I watch because they look like they will crash into one another. Pretty amazing and fun to watch. The 49ers start tomorrow. 

Pics

Opening Ceremonies Send Off

Organizing The Wave

Go Team USA

Off They Go

Pig Roast

Good Looking Crew

Watching the Openings at O'Three

Openings

Pics

Press Conference

Opening Ceremonies

Wow... what a celebration. I received quite a few texts asking if I was there... I was not. I was down in Weymouth holding down the fort. US Sailing staff and myself sent the 16 athletes and 2 staff members off on a bus at 14:00 heading for London. There were actually 5 buses in all to take all sailors up. Thy made it up to London at 19:30 after hitting massive traffic around Heathrow (still 25 miles outside the city). which brought them to a crawl. There are "Ring Lanes" designated for Olympic specific travel which didn't seem to help. Eventually 16 police officers on motorcycles made contact with the bus caravan and was able to escort them quickly and safely to the village. The team made it just in time to eat, shower and change into their Ralph Lauren gear before needing to congregate with Team USA  before heading to the stadium.

For those of us left behind, we had some peace and quiet with the athletes gone. A little down time for 20 hours. The guy who owns the Dive Shop next to Camp Billingham invited us to his Olympic Opening Ceremonies Pig Roast & Viewing. What an absolute kick ass time. We told the staff who received the Ralph Lauren gear they had to wear it. It was a USOC mandate:) (Only one staff member may walk with each team. They want to limit numbers so while credentialed staff receives the clothing, they are not able to walk.) I think this will likely be the most memorable Opening Ceremonies ever. To think 4 years ago I was watching from the JeJu Marathon Training Center in JeJu, South Korea by myself getting things ready for our training camp for the triathletes.

Lunch in the Village Dining Hall

Dana Paxton, US Sailing's Olympic Sailing Communications Director as well as my roomie

The Village Dining Hall

Well... 24 hours to Opening Ceremonies. I've already been here almost 2 weeks but it has flown by. The weather here has been absolutely wonderful. Maybe too wonderful as the breeze the past few days has been extremely light which is not what the sailors have trained and prepared for. Either way they feel they will be ready for whatever conditions are thrown at them. Last few days have been fairly quiet with the sailors making final adjustments to their equipment.

Last night we had a bonfire on the beach. I couldn't imagine ever being able to do that in the states but I guess it happens. The bonfire efforts were led by our California contingent and they did a great job. Athletes, coaches and staff all came together to enjoy a beer and conversation by the fire.

This morning we were picked up at 5:30 am for a scenic drive up to a place called Abbotsbury. Such beautiful rolling, green countryside close to the waters edge. Our tour guide, Marcus is the guy who owns the Dive Shop next to Camp Billingham. If you are ever in Weymouth, go to O'Three. Marcus is the man- such a kind fellow. The drive was fantastic.

The athletes had their official press conference this am. My roommate during this trip is the US Sailing Olympic Team's communications officer/ press attache, Dana Paxton. Dana is HILARIOUS. She cracks me up and we are having a blast. What a witty chick. Anyways, Dana facilitated the press conference and the athletes did great. My job responsibilities the past 12 months included the facilitation of the Team USA Ambassadors Program. Every Olympic athlete had to complete this program that included their responsibilities as an Olympian, setting Games expectations, media training as well as some dos and donts during the Games. Anyways, the media training obviously paid off with these athletes as they nailed it. Great answers- very eloquent. I felt like a proud mom.

They put me to work folding a 49er spinnaker

Deb Capozzi (match racing) & Bob Willis (windsurfing) engaged in recovery

Wendy, USOC sports psychologist, at the team dinner

Fashion

A sneak preview to the Opening Ceremonies attire: Team USA Fashion

More Pics

5am Morning Hike with 49er coach Dave Hughes, Communications Director Dana Paxton & Friends and Family Coordinator Kelly Jordan

At the Cove for a pint with Meteorologist Doug Charko, Kelly Jordan and Boatwright Donny Brennan

Foozball Madness

Morning Hike

A little Weymouth and Portland history...

As I previously mentioned, this is my second trip to Weymouth. I was hear about 5 weeks ago for the Sail For Gold Regatta which most countries used as a tune up event leading into the Games. The weather during that time SUCKED. It was typical English weather- chilly and rainy. One of the days the videographer, Dan Eagan, took me out on his boat to view from the water. It was honestly the nastiest day possible but a great opportunity to learn about the sport from another perspective so not to be passed up. Dan was awesome. A professional skier who learned from and worked with Warren Miller early on. Dan films primarily sailing and skiing and is a cool dude from New Hampshire (or maybe Vermont). Anyways... grey, wet, windy afternoon... staff lent me their sailing gear to include boots, bibs and jacket. Thank goodness as I was soaked from the get go. It was the second to last day of racing and we were zipping around to each of the courses catching a glimpse of all the classes. We were working out way further and further out into the open water therefore the swells were a little bigger. I'll cut to the chase... I yakked. I was starting to feel not so good early on but my pride got the best of me and I wanted to earn my sailing anchor (equivalent of airplane wings???). Probably 1.5 hours after being out there I couldn't fight it any longer... lost my breakfast... my eggs and salsa... not a good feeling. Dan kept asking, wanna go in, wanna go in... heck no!!! After about the 5th time of him asking which was usually followed with me puking yet again, I finally surrendered and we headed in. Good times.

So back to Weymouth and Portland fun facts... so Weymouth is a resort town on the southwest coast of England. It's a 3 hour train ride from Waterloo Station. Apparently a frequented tourist location during summer holiday. As I have mentioned Portland is on the Island just across a 1 mile causeway from Weymouth. Originally the only thing that connect the two was Chesil Beach aka the Jurassic Coast which is the longest pebble beach in the world at 13 miles. Feel free to call me out if my facts are wrong. Weymouth was the largest naval base until about 1996. It was the location of the largest embankment of Allied forces for Normandy during WWII. Portland boasts the world famous Portland Stone that has been used in structures such as St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and even the White House. There are many quarries over the 2 X 5 mile island that is said to have 40 years of quarrying left. Fun local story about that... we have been told by that it is unlucky to say the word "rabbit". People on the Isle of Portland (where we are staying) do not like rabbits because supposedly back in the day if the quarries were going to collapse all the rabbits would sense it and run out. So do not say rabbit in Portland or you may not be served your pint.

Fancys Farm on the top of Portland Isle.

Weymouth

A sunset on Chesil Beach

A Portland Quarry

A pint at the Cove- the Portland hang out for sailors

Radial sailor Paige Railey & her coach Luther Carpenter

All the Coke product you could ever want and need.

Boats in the competition venue with London branding.

Sailor Paige Railey in an ice bath. Paige sails the Laser Radial. Her brother Zach Railey is a silver medalist from Beijing in the Finn and hopes to medal this games.

Trying to Catch Up...

So I've gone off on this side tangent... I think I pretty much left off when the team headed to London for Team USA processing and a night in the London Village while I was accompanying their baggage down to Weymouth. All arrived safely and soundly and was unpacked into the houses(wow, that was a week ago already). The team departed the London Village at 6am on Tuesday via bus.This was a fun adventure for the team. By 8am they were still on the outskirts of London and it was becoming a flashback from National Lampoon's European Vacation, "Look kids, it's Big Ben" for the 10th time. I was getting phone calls from the Team Leader less than pleased that what should have been a 4 hour commute was becoming a 6+ hour commute. The bus driver did not have GPS and was not familiar with the area hence some wrong turns. The team did arrive and were able to get into the Village and unpack all the gear they received at Team Processing. There was a little running around but all was eventually settled as people were able to get into the spaces they would be keeping the next almost 4 weeks. Wednesday consisted of working on boats while they were still able to be outside the secured area. Thursday was filled with boats being moved into the secured venue and getting on the water. The usual schedule is up for breakfast, over to Camp Billingham (Team USA compound) and then into the competition venue and out on the water. Depending on the team and class as well as what the day calls for they usually spend about 2 hours on the water not including the prep before and after. Most athletes spend an additional hour on either cardio or weight routines which takes place at Camp Billingham. Camp Billingham is the hub of activity for the team as there is an athlete lounge, workout equipment, wireless for staff to work, food and drink, area to work on equipment and a room for the PTs to work out of. If people are not out on the water they are likely here.

Camp Billingham, Team USA compound for sailors in Weymouth

Camp Billingham, lots going on

Camp Billingham

Another good article: NYTimes

Sailing Info

So just a little info... there are 16 sailors here competing in 10 classes: Women's Match Racing (3 females), Finn (1 male), Laser (1 male), Laser Radial (1 female), 49er (2 males), Star (2 males), 470s for both men and women (2 athletes),  and Rs:X (windsurfing for both men and women). Each boat has it's own coach so 10 coaches not to mention support staff to include 3 PT guys, chef, media, team leader, sports psych (USOC employee), boatwright, meteorologist, friends & family coordinator as well as some additional media & sponsor support personnel. What a great group. They have been so fun and open and helpful. They work hard and have a little fun too which is always nice.
A good article about one of the coaches, Luther. When I first met Luther I though he was a curmudgeon. He's currently trying to teach me the lyrics to a rap song. Luther Article

A quiet competition venue.

Security in the competition venue.

Competition venue pre athletes, boats and activity.

Arrival Pics

Haethrow Arrivals last Monday (16 July)

Coca Cola, an Olympic sponsor.

From Triathlon to Sailing...

If you asked me 4 years ago after my experiences in Beijing if I would be in London in 2012 the answer would have been heak yea! If you would have asked this 14 months ago I would have told you the same thing only I would have been with the triathletes in Hyde Park. Funny how things change. I think it may be exactly a year ago that I began my employment with the United States Olympic Committee. I was offered the job in June 2011 after deciding to go through the interview process for the experience and practice seeing as I had worked at USA Triathlon for almost 11 years. After some tearful conversations with colleagues, family and friends, I decided it was something I needed to do- experience something new. So I accepted the job. My last trip with USAT was to the Hamburg World Championship Series event. I returned on a Monday, worked 3 days for USAT and started that Friday for the USOC. Anyways... so the fact that I'm here in Weymouth with Sailing was not even remotely on the radar. It wasn't even until March that I was told I would be working with Sailing for the Games. Originally I was assigned to transportation logistics in the London Village. This would have consisted of working with all the sports to ensure timely transportation to and from training venues, competition venues and the airport, etc. You can't even imagine the moving parts of an Olympic Games. There are so many pieces at the event organizer level, the national olympic committee level and then for each sports teams. So in March my supervisor, Chris Vadala, left the organization after 21 years and took a job as the COO of USA Volleyball (very incestuous world). He had been assigned as the USOC Liaison for the Weymouth Village. The day he told me he was leaving one of my first questions was, what happens with Weymouth. The seed was planted early that I would likely be the replacement. Upon hearing that I have to admit I was disappointed as I would miss the excitement in London. Chris asked me my thoughts on that likely decision and I bit my lip and said, where ever I am needed. At that time I made a conscious decision that it would be what I made it and if I went in with a bad attitude, it would suck so I needed to change my mindset then and there as I likely would be the person who would take Chris's assignment. My initial disappointment was due to the fact that I would not be able to see the triathlon competitions. I had worked for that organization and athletes for so long. That was my family to an extent and to not be there... additionally, I had the Olympic experience of being embedded with a team as I was in Beijing with the triathletes as the team manager. We had our training camp in South Korea and then our week in Beijing so I had been there and done that. I was looking forward to get a more macro experience in terms of being exposed to the various teams, staff and organizers.

So... I can TRULY say today that this assignment ROCKS!!! These athletes are great. The coaching staff is amazing and the support staff is out of this world. Great people. People have asked if I am sad I'm not with the triathletes and I can truly say no. Love those folks but this experience so far has been truly amazing.

When it was decided that I would be the Weymouth Village liaison all felt it would be wise for me to spend time with the athletes, coaches and staff during their Sail For Gold Regatta in late May/ early June. That way I would not be an unfamiliar face added to the mix but someone the group was comfortable with. So... I did spend roughly 10 days here about 5 weeks ago and got familiar with the personalities, the location and the routine. The weather sucked but it was fantastic.

So here we are...

Another Day in Paradise...

It's Saturday and I'm so far behind on keeping up with this blog so will quickly recap... so last Sunday I decided I would drive (in my sweet BMW) up to a hotel by Heathrow so I could meet the team when they landed early on Monday. Got the most amazing run in that evening before I headed out at 8pm.I decided I should stop at Stonehenge as that would likely be more only opportunity to see it so I planned an extra hour for the diversion. Long story short, found my way to Stonehenge at 10pm so it was dark as well as closed. Note to all who planned to make a visit in the future, it opens at 9am and closes at 7pm. There actually were a few security guards walking around the area. I saw the structures but it was after the sun went down. Continued on my way and ended up at Heathrow after midnight. Was in bed at 1:30am. After all that you would have thought I would have been exhausted but I didn't fall asleep until 3 only to be awoken at 5:30 by my alarm. The team landed at 6:30 and I was there to meet them coming out of customs and baggage claim. Well, it was me and mega media as this was one of the first teams to be arriving. I was even interviewed by BBC although I doubt my uneloquent blubbering made the cut. A few of our athletes and coaches did make the news that night and have been included in footage that BBC is using to show arrivals. Team got in uneventful and we shipped them via LOCOG transport to the London Village as they would stay a night in London to experience that before heading to Weymouth. I was on a bus with all the team baggage back down to Weymouth.

Once back to Weymouth we got all the bags unpacked and into the specific house each athlete as staying in. Pretty easy task as most items the sailors have been leaving in the Shed the last few years. That night was fairly quiet as most staff and athletes were in London for the night. There were about 6 unaccredited staff in Weymouth getting things in order so I was able to join them for dinner.

Our Village Housing.

The UPS Logistics Men helping me with my baggage, figuratively & literally.

The Village. The US flag blew down the first day I was there and I very gently but adamantly asked it be up before the team arrived.

More Pics

My sweet ride.

Overlooking the harbor, competition venue, Sailing Village as well as the Ocean View apartments where I am staying. 

Some Pics

Chesil Beach

Looking from Portland towards Weymouth. The comeptition course is the water on the right.

And here we are... 4 years later...

Hey all, wow, can't believe I left the states a week ago already as it has been a bit of a whirlwind. Had some delays both out of Colorado Springs as well as O'Hare but we did arrive last Saturday at 9am (3 hours late). There were 14 of us from the USOC which was nice in that we could keep each other posted on the delays and there was more likihood for the airlines to hold planes if need be. Upon arrival at Heathrow we were met by USOC staff already on the ground. It was a fairly efficient process although we landed well in advance of Opening Ceremonies so the masses had not yet arrived. Most folks were staying in London greater while I was the sole person heading down to Weymouth as the USOC appointed Sailing Village Lisaison. Fortuneately for me I had spent about 10 days with the Sailing Team down in Weymouth for a competition a month ago. The advantage was knowing the faces, personalities, routine and area. Definitely a wise decision as it's a very comfortable setting for me and I am a comfortable face to staff and athletes.


I had the fortunate experience to be handed over keys for a brand new manual BMW. FUN! I like a good challenge and while I like to think I can drive a stick with the best of them, it is a challenge when you are shifting with your left hand and driving on the opposite side of the road. I had a 3+ hour drive down to Weymouth from Heathrow so I said my goodbyes & see you in a month and was shown my chariot. I'm not a car person but it was a sweet ride.


The drive down was uneventful. It was on and off rain but for the most part a fairly easy drive on mostly highway. As I got closer to Weymouth I was put to task with my shifting abilities. I often thought I was shifting from 2nd to 3rd when I was actually downshifting to 1st. A nice little whiplash. Made it down and the weather was as expected. A bit rainy and cold. Pulling up to the apartments we were staying at I ran into the BoatWright that had arrived that day as well. We were able to get our rooms sorted out through the management and I was off to my Inspection & Inventory meeting scheduled at 16:00 with LOCOG (London Organizing Committee- Olympic Games). In order to complete the I&I I had to get my credentialed sorted out because only accredited folks can access the Athletes Village. I truly wanted to cry when they told me they had to retake my picture for the credential because I did not sleep on the plane and by that point I had been up 24 hours so I was looking lovely. Got the credential and made my way back to the Village. The I&I consisted of a walk through of all the team houses- 3 total for 23 folks (16 sailors and 7 staff) as well as a tour of the Village. Just so folks understand this is a satellite Village for just the Sailors. I believe there are 300+ sailors and probably another 150 support staff so the Village needs to accommodate those numbers. I believe the Village in London accommodates roughly 12,000 persons... a true Village. The other satellite Village is for the Rowing athletes but that venue is closer to London.


I crashed that night at 20:30 only to be awaken from my DEEP sleep at 10ish when the team chef, Leah, arrived. Leah cooks for the team and staff when they are on the road depending on the size of the group. It helps ensure nutritional meals for the athletes and is fairly cost effective not to mention efficient for everyone except maybe Leah. For this event the athletes and credentialed folks with meal access can eat in the Village cafeteria while the non- credentialed staff and those without meal access can eat what Leah provides. I have the best of both worlds and I have been sticking with Leah. Delicious and nutritious- my favorite combo:)


Next day started with a knock on the door from the boatwright, Donny. I was out of bed quickly and happy to make some good coffee with my aeropress and ground beans from Ravens Nest. A little bit of heavenly home in Weymouth. Made it down to "the shed" aka "Camp Billingham" which is space US Sailing has rented the last 3-4 years knowing they would be spending a lot of time in Weymouth prepping for the Games. It's a huge open area, almost like a hanger, that they can store boats and supplies. It has been modified so there is an athlete room with a TV, workout area, an area for the PTs to work out of as well as work space for staff. Pretty cool area and definitely an advantage for the Americans. At this point it's just Donny, Leah and I. As the team has not even left the states yet but are in New York for a Yacht Club Team Send Off.

Next was the container inspection by security personal. You can only imagine the logistics of a sport like sailing. There are 10 classes so 10 boats, too many masts to count, sails, equipment galore. The triathletes thought they had it bad in terms of shipping... they got nothing on the sailors. Lots of stuff. The container holds a lot of this stuff and is shipped all over the world. Container inspection was uneventful so I was on my way. Ran some errands into Weymouth to find dongles for our sports psychologist and myself so we could connect at our apartments in the evenings because there is not an available wireless signal.

The town is extremely cute. Apparently is's a holiday/ tourist town in the summer as it's right on the coast. There's many cute little restaurants and pubs and plentiful docks for boats as this is obviously a boating and fishing town.

Because the next day I needed to be at Heathrow for when the sailing group arrived at 6am, I decided I would head that night to an airport hotel where a co-worker was staying in order to avoid a 3am wake up and drive up. I also decided that would likely be the only time to get to Stonehenge. But before that adventure I was intent on getting a run in as it was the most brilliant and beautiful day.

Looking somewhat east (I think) just over the town of Portland. Portland is on the island just off the coast from Weymouth. A causeway connects the two. The sailing village and competition venue are actually on the island and the sailing occurs between the two.