Special Announcment - Weathermark at WYC.org - October 9

[dallas]

Special Announcment - Weathermark at WYC.org - October 9

Team Captain Hook is currently leading the Sonar Paralympic Trials. Only 
halfway through and four long days of racing to go, but good news so far.

Tomorrow is a rest day, and it's also Bert's 71st Birthday.

I can't think of a better reason to clog up Bert's e-mail box with Birthday 
and Good Luck wishes from everyone reading this e-mail. Drop him a line at 
Bert at apexq.com

Stick it to 'em, Captain Hook!

Bert's daily e-mail notice is below....
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Team Captain Hook Wins Both Races Today - October 9, 2007

Today was an over-the-top day for Team Captain Hook.  Following our first 
place finish in the second race on Monday, and the reinstatement last night 
of our first-place finish in Race Two, we put the frosting on the cake with 
2 bullets today, to lead the Paralympic Trials regatta after Day Four. 
Tomorrow is a Reserve Day (no races), followed by four more days of racing, 
in this "winner-take-all" contest to select the United States representative 
to the 2008 Paralympic Games in China.  With only a one-point lead over 
Disabled World Champion Rick Doerr, we are cautiously optimistic about our 
current pedestal position.

I am personally enjoying this immensely for the time being, especially since 
the Reserve Day, tomorrow, is my 71st birthday.  The thought of the 
possibility of representing America in China, at this age, is truly 
exciting.

We had particularly effective main sail trim today from Jim Thweatt, of West 
Sacramento, California.  The wind was up and down in the 7-to-13 mph range, 
and required constant changing of gears, due to the variations in wind 
speed.  Jib trimming by David Burdette, of Baltimore, Maryland, was also 
excellent, particularly in the need to frequently gybe the pole downwind in 
gybing duels, where his trimming was flawless.  The competitors messed up 
their gibes several times, and we gained on them every time.

Our new coach for this regatta (because Gordy Bowers was unable to accompany 
us to this regatta, due to other obligations) is Anthony Kotoun, who is a 
world-class coach, and whose assistance has been arranged for us by our good 
friends, Jay Ecklund, and his son, Jeff Ecklund.  Anthony lives in Newport, 
and really knows the local wind and current conditions, is a wonderful 
student of the game, and has helped the team with a half dozen important 
improvements, particularly in the areas of wind, current and strategy.

So, we are going to enjoy the moment, rest tomorrow, and be back at work on 
the water on Thursday, to do the best we can.

Thank you for your support and good wishes.  It's great to know you are with 
us in spirit.

Regards,
Bert Foster, Skipper
Paralympic Team Captain Hook

Register for Bert's daily e-mail messages at
http://www.paralympicteamcaptainhook.org/