At the opening ceremonies, if you blinked, you would have missed us. The smallest state (RI) had one of the smallest teams -- a team of four sailors and one golfer.

Coming from Newport, known for its huge mansions, Tennis Hall of Fame, Int'l Jazz and Folk Festivals, the first X-Games ever,and lots more, we're most famous for sailing.

I'm proud to report (there has been no GGames results posted about sailing -- they sort of forgot about us)that we took home the gold with an amazing record of 6 firsts and 1 second. Up against powerhouses from sailing cities Sydney, San Diego, San Francisco, NY, as well as teams from the UK, Germany, France & The Netherlands, we had intense competition over 3 days -- with conditions ranging from huge wind & waves on Tues. to light and variable on Thurs.

We signed up within 4 minutes of registration several years ago, and sailing sold out in 24hrs.

What a great time we had. Chicago was an awsome host.

Shame Montreal ignored us. We're hanging on by a thread of hope that we might be included in Cologne.

Until then, we are proud that we were able to represent our small state, and home town, with a successfull romp!

Good for you, Newport! Lake Michigan has better winds and more sea room than the St. Lawrence and it can be an awesome place to sail. The Chicago to Mackinac Race is a classic. What sort of boats were being raced? (I've sailed mostly in Lightnings, 470s, Flying J's, etc.)

If you're still in Chicago, try to get over to Michigan City, 63 mi. across the lake on the IN/MI border, and check out the neat little marinas between there and Holland, with an obbligato stopover in Saugatuck. Again, Bravo Zulu and fair winds and following seas!

Congrats Newport! Sailing = Very Sexy. I can't believe there isn't more coverage. Frikken Weho Polo!

Thanks !!

We're pretty excited.
We raced in J-22's out of Chicago Sailing and Belmont Yacht Club. They were Awsome hosts !! With very little or no GGames representation, those two groups did it all for us and went out of their way.

Lake sailing was great, I'll def. be back again!

Bill

I know nothing about sailing. Are these the J-22's?

It looks like a very fun time!

Yes... That is the GGames Sailing competition.

That is the San Diego Team (Blue sail) ahead of what I believe to be, the Aussies. San Diego took three wins in that series.

This would have been taken on Wednesday afternoon, between noon and 3pm.

Bill

Maddog....
thanks so much for posting those pics, VERY COOL.

And BIG congrats to your team newportbill, how exciting!!!

Hey ChiAthlete:
Great meeting you!!!

Jim, it was great meeting you and Cyd as well!

And a BIG thanks for the cosmos (Cyd's drink too) at CREW, we had a blast.

Esera caught up with us right after closing, here's a pic of he and Kevin, in front of Wrigley Field - aren't they both handsome, especially that Kevin Boyer. wink



[ July 24, 2006, 11:15 AM: Message edited by: CHIathlete ]