Sunday, August 12, 2012

Olympic Games Thank You!

Last day of the Olympic Games. This has been an experience I will never forget. It was such an honor to be sailing on the water with the American Flag and USA. I wanted to thank everyone who has supported me over the years. I was so proud to represent you all, sponsors, my family, friends, federation, country, yacht club and myself at these games. I wanted to give a special thank you out to my coach Luther Carpenter. He has taught me many things in my sailing and life and it was a true pleasure to work with him. He has sacrificed so much of his time to help nurture my sailing abilities and I am forever grateful.

I am extremely disappointed with my results, but your kind words and support have made things much easier. It may not of gone how I wanted, but I am proud of everything I have achieved in the last 4 years and at these Games. I have learned from my past that there are ups and downs in an athletes career. I will not be one to sit in the corner and sulk over this performance. Instead I will stand up, pull my shoulders back, be proud of what I have done and keep moving forward. As my dad always says when things don't go the way you planned, "This is just a toll in the road of life. You pay your dues and keep going forward." There are more Olympic Games and 2016 is definitely in my future.

Monday, May 21, 2012

2012 Laser Radial Worlds Conclusion

Hey Everyone!

I just finished the Laser Radial Worlds in 9th overall and I will be honest and say I am not happy with my results numerically wise. I would of liked to of finished better, but I didn't. On the other hand I actually feel this event was great. I saw so many positive factors that it outweighed the small amount of negatives. I am so happy with many things in my sailing that it gives me great motivation to keep going. My reaches, downwinds, and starts are near to top notch!

Luther has made a short list of things that he wants to work on in the upcoming weeks, but we are both very happy with everything right now! It was an extremely tough event tactically. At times I would feel that I was sailing a near perfect beat, but then factors outside of my hands would change it. It's interesting when you are dealing with the environment! Sometimes you just got to laugh it off and keep going!!!

Now I am off to the Canary Islands with the US Olympic Sailing Team. It's going to be so much fun. We are going there as a team bonding/fitness camp. I can't wait to go! I'll update you later on.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Laser Radial Worlds 2012

Hey Everyone,

Sorry I haven't written for a bit. I have been really focused on my training and trying to get into the best shape my body has ever been in. Life has been really intense lately with all of the traveling, sailing and working out. I have been loving every moment of it, even the days when my body gives out and says, "you are exhausted…no more." I feel like I have embarked on this amazing journey and have been encountering so many experiences. I've been meeting amazing people, accomplishing new feats that I thought I couldn't do and learning new things about myself everyday. It has been so much fun and I am definitely living up to the goal that I presented to myself at the beginning of the quad: To enjoy the ROAD to the Olympic Games.

Currently, I am in Weymouth, England with Claire Dennis, Isabella Bertold, and of course coach Luther Carpenter. The training here has been amazing. We have all worked so hard with long days on the water and sessions in the gym. On the water we have attacked racing where we joined up with many of the girls who will be competing at the Games. We did long races so we could test our fitness and figure out all of the tactical conditions. I feel so confident going to Worlds that I actually can't wait for racing to start. At the training, Luther and I tackled weaknesses, improved on strengths and honestly just had a fun time. Our teamwork has been getting stronger which gives me confidence that at Worlds and the Olympics we will be more then 100% solid and unbeatable. I don't think you can get a stronger radial team than us!

Tomorrow, I leave for Boltenhagen, Germany for the Laser Radial World Championships. The last two Worlds I have placed 3rd overall and I am READY to improve that result. I am 100% determined to make that happen and I know coach will do everything in his power to help me achieve that.  We did a lot of work in Spain on critiquing my technique and tactical thinking. During the racing here in Weymouth, I saw all of the gears starting to fit together so I am pumped to go test it out.

I believe I will have internet in Germany, so I will write with the regatta website and more information.

Until then…Peace

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Palma De Mallorca, Spain

Hola! I'm here in Palma de Mallorca, Spain getting ready to sail the Princess Sofia Regatta. I've been here for about a week training and I have learned so much. I can't even describe how happy I am with my sailing. Compared to this time last year, I have improved so much. Luther and I have done a lot of training and I am so excited to see the results. This actually brings me to now…how I'm feeling going into this event: Completely motivated, pumped, focused etc.

In January I sat down with Luther, Leandro, Chris, and Kenneth and completely committed my whole being for the Olympics. We talked about what we thought it would take to achieve my goals. Since that discussion I have based my whole life around what I can do to improve my body, mind, and sailing. I dedicate every day, minute, and second to my commitment to my dream. This is a huge reason as to why I am excited for this event. I am ready to learn new things and see my progression so I know what I need to work on for the future.

Please watch the results at:
http://www.trofeoprincesasofia.org/

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Olivia Lives Benefit

In 2011 I made a pledge that I would donate a percentage of my sailing bonus money to an organization that Olivia's mother designated. She chose the Sarcoma Foundation of America. This was a perfect choice because it will help aid in research for sarcoma. So many children are afflicted with this horrible illness and unfortunately many do not make it through. 

I am extremely fortunate with the life I have. I have a loving family, a great job, amazing friends and most of all I'm healthy. I believe that it is very important to give back to those who aren't as fortunate. Olivia changed me in many ways. She taught me to live, love and appreciate the life I have. She also taught me the lesson on how important it is to help others. Even when Olivia was extremely ill she was still strong for herself, family and friends. She was selfless, courageous and loving. Olivia will always remain in my heart…I sail for many reasons and one of them is for her. 

I find myself looking to Olivia for strength when times are tough, but I also celebrate with her. I sail with OliviaLives.com on my boom and when I am racing I constantly look at that sticker to motivate me. It represents Olivia's strength and love, but it also represents all the children that are battling cancer. I think of them and try to push myself just a little bit harder. I know that every time I podium I will hopefully be helping the Sarcoma Foundation get one step closer to curing this illness. 

Life is short and sweet, but for some its not as long and is filled with hardships. I feel it's important to give a little light for some who's world can be filled with darkness. I will continue my 2011 pledge into 2012 and hopefully I beat my 2011 donation. 

Check out www.olivialives.com for our 2012 programs and perhaps you may find an event that you would like to participate in. If so then the contact information is on the website.

Photos from the Benefit are at:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100688113032811.2751242.5034252&type=1