Meg Gaillard's Olympic Dream
by Claudia Kondracky
What's your dream? If you sail it might be to race against the best sailors in the world. What an awesome dream. To be out there representing the country you grew up in and love. Maybe seeing the Stars and Stripes being raised, hearing our national anthem. Who isn't moved by this?
The dream starts early. You win a lot of races, you're lucky and very skilled. You made the team and think it's all a cake walk from here. You know, couches, premium equipment, a ground crew to cater to your every need. The reality is quite different. The average Olympic racer got only $2000.00. If you own a boat you know how far this goes. If you don't, here's a reality check for you. One set of sails for an average boat costs more then this, a lot more.
So you got the check for $2000.00. You still have to raise a lot of money for couches, etc. If you want to follow the dream of an Olympic hopeful help them out and donate. The dream will come but the money has to be there too. They can't spend the day on the water and the night begging for money.
I read about one campaign several years ago. One of the guys dropped out of Uconn Law School figuring that the world could wait for one more lawyer. They slept in their van to save money.
You can follow one woman's dream and even help her achieve it. Her name is Meg Gaillard and she was named Yachting Women of the Year. She has won the right to represent us in this summer's Olympic's.
Here's a quote from her that was in Scuttlebutt:
QUOTE / UNQUOTE - Meg Gaillard
"I was ultra-prepared (for the Olympic Trials) with my equipment so that a
breakdown would not be a source of worry. I had my sails for the Trials
tested, and put away by the end of December. Basically, by the time
Christmas came around, I knew exactly what equipment I was going to use and
it was proven. As per my coaches request, I even put my best boat away the
year before the Trials to ensure that I kept it in great condition." - Meg
Gaillard will compete in her first Olympics at the 2004 Games in Athens,
representing the USA in the Europe dinghy.
http://www.ussailing.org/Olympics/SailingMedallist/04v3/page5.htm
Take a moment to reflect on her dream and help to make it come true. And to Meg, best wishes and sail fast!