Paralympic podium for Jen & JP

In September, Jen French and JP Creignou won a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. We caught up with the duo to talk about life after the Games.

Less than two months ago, you were standing on the Paralympic Games podium receiving a silver medal for your outstanding SKUD-18 sailing. What have you been doing since you returned home?

JP: I am catching up with all duties that had to be put on the back burner and having a good time with friends and family. I’ve also become re-acquainted with the kitchen and house chores, to my wife’s delight!

Jen: I’m trying to get back into work mode. The people I work with have been very accommodating of me taking off four months. I’m also getting out the word about my new book called On My Feet Again: My Journey Out of the Wheelchair Using Neurotechnology.

What is your workout routine after the Games? One would guess that since you’re not trying to peak for a regatta it’s different, but how do you adjust?

Jen: It’s interesting, we worked with a personal trainer to prepare and what he taught us how to get our bodies ready for the Games. Now I’m trying to keep it going because it gave me so much more function, being as fit as I was. It was a big lesson learned from our preparation bleeding over into my life.

Describe your homecoming and how you celebrated.

JP: We had a big surprise when we arrived home late at night and found our house decorated with garlands and signs of congratulations, along with an oversized card signed by all. It felt really good after a long journey to know that friends and neighbors were cheering all along.

The St. Petersburg Yacht Club very generously hosted a celebration party where Jen and I shared some of our experience with club members and supporters.

Jen: My mom and sister had a party for us last weekend in my hometown of Cleveland, so I got to see a lot of people I haven’t seen in a long time, friends from high school and that sort of thing.

We also went to the White House (for a reception for Team USA hosted by the President and First Lady). It was amazing. You always hear that the USA had one of the bigger teams, but that put it into perspective. We really are a big team, but a small group when you put it into terms of the millions of people in our country and how selective it is. It really is an honor.

The President and First Lady vowed to stay afterward and shake every athlete’s hand. That was not planned. We were among the first to meet them, but after we went through the White House tour they were still shaking hands.

Winning a Paralympic medal is a unique accomplishment. Now that you’ve had some time to reflect, can you put it into perspective?

JP: The medal is a sweet reward at the end of a great journey. It represents the commitment made toward this goal and the countless supporters, advisors, coaches, helpers and our spouses who all participated in this accomplishment. Many new friends, stories and memories made along the way.

Have you done any sailing since you’ve been home?

Jen: We’re still winding down the campaign. I’m going to sail in the U.S. Disabled Championships at the end of October with my good friends Sarah Everhart-Skeels and Brenda Hopkins. Before the Games there is so much focus on improving strengths and working on weaknesses. A little bit of club sailing and focusing on fun is the best thing right now.

JP: I went club racing with my wife on Ideal 18 and a casual moonlight cruising on J/24.

Jen: I hear a lot of people get burned out, but I think it’s important to go back to basics and why you fell in love with the sport.

Not many people get to see a Paralympic medal up close. What does your medal say on it?

JP: The medal has “London 2012 Paralympic Games” engraved in English and in Braille on the circumference. It is a beautiful design representing a section of Nike’s stretched out wing on the front. It is 92.5% silver and very heavy at almost one pound.

Jen: On the edge it says sailing. I just found that the other day! It’s so neat they put that there. The medals for each sport are different. I think it’s the first time they’ve created a unique medal.

Where do you keep your medal?

JP:  My medal stays close to me in a jewelry pouch, ready to bring out and display or hand to anybody who asks to see it or asks about my experience at the Games.

When you look at the medal, what thoughts come into your head?

JP: First is a feeling of pride and satisfaction with flashes of memories standing on the podium and watching the American flag raised, or the crowd cheering and flag waiving. I am also reminded of the great honor and privilege of representing Team USA and the country, as the medal is a symbol of the efforts of all the people who made this possible.

Jen: Here’s an example that puts it into perspective. I was at my nephew’s school with 5th and 6th graders. We talked a little bit about the injury and how you overcome obstacles. No matter what you’re faced with, you enjoy what you enjoy. We talked about the fun of competition. Even though we were in high competition mode, at the end of the day when you’re off the water you are still friends with your competitors and you’re having fun. If you don’t keep that perspective you’ll never have fun when you’re competing.

When you talk to kids that know very little about sailing, it helps you realize how big the accomplishment is. They get so excited to wear the medal and see it. While I’m at a time to teach people the lessons that go along with it, I’ll keep it up.

What is your plan going forward? Have you even thought about another Paralympic campaign?

Jen: Our SKUD and #04, which is our training boat that Team Paradise loaned us, are going back there (to Miami). It’s time to take a break from the SKUD and get back to the reason we love the sport: sailing with other people and other boats. We spent a lot of time in that (SKUD) seat and there are plenty of other seats.

JP: I am making no plans for a campaign or competition at this time; just want to enjoy the end of this journey without being encumbered by the prospect of more competition. This was my third campaign and second participation at the Games so I am looking forward to going cruising and may be some casual racing in between.

Jen: Sailing is a lifelong sport and just because we won a medal doesn’t mean we know everything about sailing. There’s still a lot to learn and I want to branch out. It’s too soon to say whether I will do another Paralympic campaign or not. I’d be foolish to say yes or no at this point.

Jen French will be at US Sailing’s Annual Meeting in San Francisco. Meet her at the US  Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider panel discussion on Saturday, Nov. 3. Registration: http://about.ussailing.org/US_Sailing_Meetings.htm

The following interim plan goes into effect immediately:

• Luther Carpenter will serve as Interim Head Coach. Carpenter, a six-time Games veteran and member of US Sailing’s Olympic coaching staff, will manage the transition with a focus on fall training camps, new class development, and winter/spring planning. He will contribute to the 2013-16 High Performance Plan submitted to the U.S. Olympic Committee and act as a primary contact for sailors and coaches.
• Gary Bodie, who was the organization’s High Performance Director for 10 years through the 2008 Games, will serve as Advisor to U.S. Olympic Sailing. He will advise on the 2013-16 High Performance Plan and in other key areas of the program.

“Kenneth has been committed and dedicated to U.S. Olympic Sailing,” continued Adams. “He deserves credit for, among other things, his emphasis on class teamwork and fitness, positives in our program that we will continue to build on. Kenneth is a consummate pro, and I wish him well in the next step of his career.

“I firmly believe that this new direction is needed and that it requires a new leader at the High Performance Director position. With the veteran presence of Luther and Gary, I’m confident that we’ll keep the program moving ahead while work is done to appoint a new HPD.”

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Contact: Dana Paxton, Communications Director, 401-683-0800 x615, danapaxton@ussailing.org

Paralympic podium for Jen & JP

With the final day of competition at the Paralympic Sailing Regatta cancelled due to lack of wind in Weymouth and Portland, racing results, to date, stood as final. The U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team’s Jen French and JP Creignou collected a silver medal in the SKUD-18 event (Two Person Keelboat). Final standings for TeamUSA include Mark LeBlanc 6th in the 2.4mR (One Person Keelboat) and Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson 7th in the Sonar (Three Person Keelboat).

Results: http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/london2012/results.php

SKUD-18: Jen French and JP Creignou

Jen French (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and JP Creignou (St. Petersburg, Fla.) won a silver medal in the SKUD-18 by collecting consistent finishes across the 10-races series. They won three races and never finished worse than the 5th, which they discarded. This was the first Paralympic Games for French and Creignou’s second. He won a bronze medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games in the Three Person Keelboat (Sonar).

“It’s always fun to get more sailing in, but it’s nice to know the race committee is cognizant of getting in good racing,” said French of the decision to end racing without a final race.

Jen and JP (left) with Daniel Fitzgibbon/Liesl Tesch (center) and Nikki Birrell/Alex Rickham (right), photo IFDS

Throughout the week, the pair competed at the top of the fleet, and was among the top five boats daily. “I think what made the regatta fun was that it was tight racing in the entire fleet. Hats off to Australia for their gold medal, and to the Canadians, who are our training partners. They did very well.”

Speaking about the conditions over the past week, French explained that while it was different than the past few years of training, it was a challenge. “Everyone said that Portland would be a high-wind venue,” said French. “At the end of the end of the day you had a lot of variable conditions and the top sailors who can sail in the variety of conditions are the ones that come out on top. Obviously the Aussies did the best.”

Gold went to Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS) and bronze to Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell (GBR) in the 11-boat fleet.

2.4 Metre: Mark LeBlanc

In the One Person Keelboat event (2.4mR), Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) finished in 6th overall in the 16-boat fleet.

Over the past week, LeBlanc’s scores across the 10-race series included five top-five results, but the turning point for his overall score may have come on day 3 when he had a disappointing day capped off with an OCS penalty for starting early in race 6.

At the conclusion of day 5, he explained that the competition has been challenging and at the same time bittersweet. “I’ve been fairly aggressive this whole week because I know I have to be to win,” he said. “That means pushing the starting line, and maybe taking a bigger risk. Every person ahead of me is a world champion and/or a gold medalist. There are three previous Paralympic gold medalists ahead of me.”

Gold, silver and bronze went to Helena Lucas (GBR), Heiko Kroger (GER) and Thierry Schmitter (NED), respectively.

Although this is his first Paralympic Games, LeBlanc pointed out that he has been campaigning since 2006. “After Hurricane Katrina, all of the boats in New Orleans were wiped out,” he explained. “I was introduced to the 2.4mR and things progressed rapidly for me from there.”

Sonar: Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson

Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) finished the regatta only seven points off the podium.

Although the Sonar fleet completed 10 races, it is safe to say the Team was looking forward to sailing one final race. Unfortunately, with the lack of wind it was not going to be, leaving them in 7th.

Meet the Team – Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson

For the 2012 Paralympic Games, Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson teamed up at the suggestion of coach Betsy Alison, who is the Paralympic coach for the US Sailing Team Sperry Top-Sider. All three sailors are Paralympians, with Johnson winning a bronze medal at the 2004 Games in the Sonar. Brown is a two-time Paralympic medalist, winning silver (2004) and bronze (2000) in the 2.4mR.

Video: http://youtu.be/3y0jpQa9V0A

Follow the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team

• Website http://Olympics.USSailing.org
• Video interviews on YouTube channel http://www.YouTube.com/USSailingTeam
• Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/USSailingTeam
• Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/USSailingTeam.
• Subscribe daily reports http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/News/The_Medalist.htm

About the Paralympic Sailing Regatta

The Paralympic Regatta was held September 1-6, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London. Eleven races were scheduled on Portland Harbour, with 10 completed. A total of 80 sailors competed in three events: 2.4mR (16), SKUD-18 (22) and Sonar (42).

About the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team
The U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. Athletes in each Paralympic class were selected to the Team based on performance at two selection events. The USA has a proud tradition of competing in the Paralympic Games since sailing was introduced in 2000 and has won five medals previous to the 2012 Games.

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit us at www.ussailing.org.

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For more information, contact Press Officer Dana Paxton, Tel: 401-369-0490 (mobile) or email: danapaxton@ussailing.org

Second overall, Jen French & JP Creignou, photo IFDS

With podium positions riding on the line for the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team, day 5 of the Paralympic Sailing Regatta was a crucial point in the competition. Adding to the excitement was a change in wind conditions, with 15-20 knots of wind, the most seen during the Games. Jen French and JP Creignou relished the conditions and held tight to their 2nd place overall in the SKUD-18 event (Two Person Keelboat). For Mark LeBlanc, in the 2.4mR (One Person Keelboat) and Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson, in the Sonar (Three Person Keelboat), the day didn’t bring the advanced standing they had planned for. They are in 6th and 7th overall, respectively. Two races were held in the SKUD-18 and 2.4mR, with three completed in the Sonar. Preliminary results: http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/london2012/results.php

SKUD-18: Jen French and JP Creignou

The duo of Jen French (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and JP Creignou (St. Petersburg, Fla.) continued their impressive command of the Two Person Keelboat (SKUD-18) event with race finishes of 2nd and 3rd.

They held their silver medal position in the fleet, and now have one race to seal their standing. The Australian team of Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch has a six-point lead in first, so it will be difficult to pass them in the standings. However, with a 15-point gap down to 5th place, it appears that the race will be with the British team for silver or bronze.

“The battle isn’t over with,” French cautioned. “We have to stay on top of things tomorrow. We’ll look at things differently. We’ll still sail fast. It’s still fleet racing, not match racing. We’ll stay with our same game plan that has done us well.”

2.4 Metre: Mark LeBlanc

Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) started the day strong, collecting a 2nd in race 9, however things didn’t quite go according to plan in race 10. He now finds himself in 6th place overall in the One Person Keelboat event (2.4mR).

The 2.4mR fleet on day 5, photo IFDS

“I had a decent start, but couldn’t do my game plan,” said LeBlanc. “I ended up on the wrong side of the first major shift and trying to claw your way back from the top guys is pretty tough. When the shift comes everyone tacks. You have to gravitate toward an edge and get a little lucky. I caught up, but it’s tough to pass.”

With the wind dying as the day went on, LeBlanc explained that shifty conditions weren’t difficult for him, but it was more that the fleet was so close together. “I’ve been fairly aggressive this whole week because I know I have to be to win,” he said. “That means pushing the starting line, and maybe taking a bigger risk. Every person ahead of me is a world champion and/or a gold medalist. There are three previous Paralympic gold medalists are ahead of me.”

Sonar: Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson

Although they started the day in 3rd place overall in  the Three Person Keelboat (Sonar) event, Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) finished the day in 7th overall, seven points off the podium.

“It was a tough day,” said Johnson. “There’s not much else I can say about it other than it was tough.”

Sonars racing on day 5, with USA on far right, photo IFDS

The Sonar fleet sailed three races, making up for the one missed on Tuesday. Race 8 was up first and with a troubling start they struggled to make up for it, and finished in 10th. That put them into 5th overall with two more races to better their position.

Race 9 was a classic tactical race, with Callahan, Brown and Johnson sailing masterfully against the fleet. They added a 3rd place to pull into 4th overall. It would be tight for the final race of the day, race 10. Despite fighting hard throughout the race, they could not get themselves a better finish than 10th.

With one race remaining, it will be up to Callahan, Brown and Johnson to better their overall position.

Thursday, Sept. 6 is the final day of racing at the 2012 Paralympic Sailing Regatta and one race is planned in each of the three Paralympic events: Three Person Keelboat (Sonar), One Person Keelboat (2.4mR) and Two Person Keelboat (SKUD-18).

Meet the Team – Mark LeBlanc

A native of New Orleans, La., Mark LeBlanc was born into a competitive sailing family. By the age of nine he began racing Optimists and by high school he was competing in the Laser and 420. At Louisiana State University, he served as the sailing club president and saw his team succeed in local fleet racing. Mark has coached at camp and youth programs throughout his sailing career, and is a source of inspiration and encouragement for people with disabilities new to the competitive sailing world.

Mark was born without the lower part of his left arm, but has always competed in sailing despite this. After hurricanes devastated coastal Louisiana and New Orleans Mark found the 2.4mR class in St. Petersburg, Fla. He chartered a boat and placed 8th out of 16 boats in his first event. Soon after, he was asked to attend practice with the U.S. Disabled Sailing Team in Miami. He purchased a new 2.4mR and began a campaign toward the 2008 Paralympic Games.

In January, Mark realized his dream of qualifying for the Paralympic Games after a disappointing finish at the 2008 Paralympic Trials in the 2.4mR. He tied on points with, and finished second to, John Ruf who went on to win the 2008 Paralympic bronze medal.

About the Paralympic Sailing Regatta

The Paralympic Regatta will be held September 1-6, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London. Eleven races are scheduled on Portland Harbour, with two races per day September 1-5 and one race on September 6. A total of 80 sailors will compete in three events: 2.4mR (16), SKUD-18 (22) and Sonar (42).

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For more information, contact Press Officer Dana Paxton, Tel: 401-369-0490 (mobile) or email: danapaxton@ussailing.org

SKUD-18: Jen French and JP Creignou

Jen French (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and JP Creignou (St. Petersburg, Fla.) won the day’s opeing race in the Two Person Keelboat event (SKUD-18). “Not a bad way to start the day after two abandoned races,” said French.

Although French and Creignou were in leading positions in both of the abandoned races, she pointed out that the day worked out in their favor. “You’d rather have the race committee do a fair job at the end of the day,” she said.

Sailors returned to the dock in the early evening. “It’s a long day and we’ll have a good long sleep tonight,” said French.

In the second race, race 8, they collected a 4th and are now tied on points with British team of Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell, who are in 3rd place. Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS) are four points ahead in first place.

2.4 Metre: Mark LeBlanc

In the One Person Keelboat event (2.4mR), Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) had his strongest day of racing, to date, collecting two 3rd places. “It was a little tricky waiting around forever,” said LeBlanc. “The starts and stops were frustrating. We finally got two races off and I’m happy with how we did. We had clean starts and sailed well, and finished well.”

With all three events held on the same race course, none were immune to the shifting wind that caused delays. “It’s frustrating at times, but it happens,” he said. “It’s not in your control and you have to take what you get. That’s sailboat racing.”

After a disappointing day yesterday, LeBlanc was happy with today’s performance and positioning. “I’m moving up, which is good,” he said. “That’s the plan.”

Sonar: Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson

Although there was only one race held in the Three Person Keelboat (Sonar) event, Team USA’s Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) held their podium position. They finished race 7 in 5th place and are now 3rd overall in the 14-boat fleet. Racing began, but was then abandoned due to unstable wind direction.

“It was one of the shiftiest days I’ve ever sailed in a decade, but full credit goes to my team mates Tom and Bradley who have been fantastic all week,” said Callahan. “We’ve been gelling as a team and peaking at the right time. We handled the breeze and the shifts well. It was nice to finally sail a good hard race once the breeze filled in.”

The Team is four points behind second-place team from Germany and 15 points from the first-place team from The Netherlands.

On Wed., Sept. 5 the race committee will run three races in the Three Person Keelboat (Sonar), with two races in the One Person Keelboat (2.4mR) and Two Person Keelboat (SKUD-18).

Meet the Team – Jen French & JP Creignou

Jen & JP both hail from St. Petersburg, Fla. and share a passion for sailing at the highest level of the sport. Together they won back-to-back silver medals at the International Federation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) World Championships (2012-11). While this is Jen’s first Paralympic Games, JP is a 2004 Paralympic bronze medalist (Athens) in the Sonar.

As a result of a snowboarding accident in 1998, Jen became a quadriplegic from a C6-7 incomplete spinal cord injury. Prior to her injury, she was recreationally active with such sports as canoeing, snowboarding, sailing, fly fishing, scuba diving/snorkeling and cycling. After her injury, she continues to participate in all of those activities. She is the first women to receive implanted muscle stimulation technology, a neural prosthesis, developed at the Cleveland FES (Functional Electrical Simulation) Center. Prior to her disabling injury, Jen was introduced to windsurfing as a college student while on her second date with her current husband, Tim. As a quadriplegic, she actively races in the Sonar class, both able-bodied and disabled.

JP started sailboat racing in the 470 when he was 16-years-old and has continued sailing competitively ever since. After becoming legally blind with a degenerative disease of the retina, he was forced to give up individual sports such as skiing and tennis. He embraced disabled sailing in 1997 with a renewed passion for the sport and a drive for competition. He is the 2006 gold medalist at IFDS Blind Sailing World Championship and two-time gold medalist at the U.S. National Blind Sailing Championship.

Follow the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team

• Website http://Olympics.USSailing.org
• Video interviews on YouTube channel http://www.YouTube.com/USSailingTeam
• Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/USSailingTeam
• Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/USSailingTeam.
• Subscribe daily reports http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/News/The_Medalist.htm

About the Paralympic Sailing Regatta

The Paralympic Regatta will be held September 1-6, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London. Eleven races are scheduled on Portland Harbour, with two races per day September 1-5 and one race on September 6. A total of 80 sailors will compete in three events: 2.4mR (16), SKUD-18 (22) and Sonar (42).

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Creignou and French on day 3, photo IFDS

Summary: Despite a brief wait this morning for suitable wind conditions on Portland Harbour, day three of racing at the 2012 Paralympic Sailing Regatta was anything but boring. Race organizers consolidated all three events onto one race course and completed two races for each. Jen French and JP Creignou collected two more solid finishes to maintain their third overall position in the SKUD-18 event (Two Person Keelboat), while Mark LeBlanc slipped slightly to 7th overall in the 2.4mR (One Person Keelboat). Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson are 4th in the Sonar (Three Person Keelboat). With six races completed in the 11-race series, competitors can now discard their worst finish. Results: http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/london2012/results.php

SKUD-18: Jen French and JP Creignou

Top performance of the day went to Jen French (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and JP Creignou (St. Petersburg, Fla.), who added finishes of 3rd and 2nd in the SKUD-18 fleet (Two Person Keelboat). They have discarded a 5th (race 2) and now sit one point out of second place, behind the British team of Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell. The leaders, Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch (AUS), are one point ahead.

“Both of the races were highlights,” said French back at the dock after racing. “First race there were a lot of boats over early and we ended up going back to restart. We decided to play it conservative. Knowing where we were positioned in the fleet, we went back and built ourselves back up and finished in 4th, but we actually ended in 3rd because one of the boats (CAN) was over early. That proves to us that even though we were almost dead last around the windward mark, we were able to build ourselves back up.”

French explained that the team’s training for the Games emphasized boat speed and it is one of their strengths, especially when faced with an over-early start.

“We are happy with our boat speed and when we make mistakes like that we can rely on our boat speed to get us back up,” she said. “In this light and shifty breeze it’s a big mistake and it could have cost us more. If it was heavier breeze we could have gone back and recovered better, but in this uncharacteristic light wind we had to make big gains. JP is probably better than me, but he stays calm where we’re in that position and need to get back.”

The light wind continued to shift throughout the second race. “It was boat-end favored even with the current, but there was a big crowd at the boat our priorities changed to get a clean lane off the start,” she explained of the race’s start. “Especially in light air this boat moves so slowly and it takes time to get it up to speed. We used that to our advantage and played around with top guys. That made it more exciting. We passed the Brits and played it out with the Australians. That’s what makes it fun. Between the Brits, Australians and Canadians they can all beat us. We aren’t letting our guard down and it’s going to make it interesting racing going forward.”

2.4 Metre: Mark LeBlanc

In the One Person Keelboat, Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) found the conditions challenging and he collected two race finishes of 13th and 17th to end day in 7th place overall in the 2.4mR fleet. In race 6, he finished the race in 5th place, but was called over early at the start. By not restarting the race (to clear the penalty), he was given points equal to the total number of boats, 17.

Sonar: Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson

Day two’s results in the Three Person Keelboat changed overnight when a protest changed the fleet leaders and put Team USA into second overall. Today’s best race for Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) was race five where they finished in 2nd

“We had a spectacular race in the first race right along with the Dutch,” said Callahan. We were really happy with that race. Tactically we were superb.”

The second race, race 6, didn’t go quite as well for them. “We didn’t get a good start and that forced us to the side of the course we didn’t want to be on,” Callahan explained. “We climbed our way through the pack and pretty much stayed in the middle. It’s pretty hard to break through top five if you’re on the wrong side of the course because everyone sails so well. We made one tactical mistake at the (final) top mark when we should have ducked Canada and we didn’t. That forced us out left and we wanted to be on the right. That’s where we lost a lot of boats. We thought we could cross them and we couldn’t. All this week there’s been a little extra breeze in the upper left corner and today there wasn’t. We should have been conservative and ducked them.”

They finished race 6 in 8th and are now in 4th overall in the fleet.

“We’re feeling really good,” said Callahan. “We’re sailing at the top of the pack and unless we make an error our boat speed is good. We’ve been top five the whole regatta and anxious to getting started tomorrow.”

Racing on Sept. 4 is scheduled to begin at 11:00 BST with the Sonar fleet, then the SKUD-18 and 2.4mR  races at 14:00.

About the Paralympic Sailing Regatta

The Paralympic Regatta will be held September 1-6, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London. Eleven races are scheduled on Portland Harbour, with two races per day September 1-5 and one race on September 6. A total of 80 sailors will compete in three events: 2.4mR (16), SKUD-18 (22) and Sonar (42).

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French and Creignou on their way to a race win on Sept. 2, photo IFDS

Summary: Two first-place finishes by Jen French and JP Creignou in the SKUD-18 event (Two Person Keelboat) highlighted day two of competition at the 2012 Paralympic Sailing Regatta, held in Weymouth and Portland, U.K. They moved into 3rd overall, while Mark LeBlanc ended the day in 4th overall in the 2.4mR (One Person Keelboat) and Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson, in 4th in the Sonar (Three Person Keelboat).

Two races were held in each event, with 11 races total scheduled through Sept. 6. Results: http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/london2012/results.php

SKUD-18: Jen French and JP Creignou

Jen French (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and JP Creignou (St. Petersburg, Fla.) continued to add to their impressive score line by adding two first-place finishes in the very competitive SKUD-18 fleet. French cautioned that the level of competition in the Two Person Keelboat is very high and with it being early in the competition, they’re not letting up anytime soon.

“It’s tight at the top of the fleet and anything can happen,” said French after sailing. “It’s only race day two. A lot can happen, but we do know the competition is pretty fierce at the top.”

On Monday, they will wear the third-place pinnies as well as a colored dot on their mainsail to signify their fleet position. The Australia team of Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch is currently in first, while the British team of Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell is in second. Only one point separates first, second and third places., and tomorrow’s race five will allow all teams to throw out their worst score.

2.4 Metre: Mark LeBlanc

Mark LeBlanc racing on Sept. 2, photo IFDS

In the One Person Keelboat, Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) turned in a 7th and 5th to hold onto his overall 4th place. The 16-boat 2.4mR fleet is very competitive in each race, making every finish count.

“I had a so-so start in the first race,” LeBlanc said. “I got pinned out after the start and it was tough coming back. I was able to pass some boats downwind and finish 7th. I think my speed is good, but it’s different fleet racing than what we usually see. Here, everyone is looking to tack on you.”

The second race was clearly a better result for LeBlanc, one that he will look to improve upon with each race. “It’s about getting a better start” he explained. “The top of the fleet tacked twice to my six in the first minute of the race. If you can find a lane and hold it right off the starting line, you’re usually in a good position for top five.”

Overall, he noted there are seven more races to sail and while 4th overall is a good position, his goal is for more. “It’s not where I want to be,” he said. “but I have some room to improve and I plan to do that this week.”

Current fleet standings have Heiko Kroger (GER) in first, Thierry Schmitter (NED) in second, and Helena Lucas (GBR). LeBlanc is currently six points out of third place.

Photo IDFS

Sonar: Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson

For the Three Person Keelboat team of Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.), day two was an opportunity to improve the overall points total. That’s exactly what they did with a 9th and 3rd place finishes. They’re currently in 4th place overall behind Australia, The Netherlands and France, just seven points behind.

“Today was competitive as usual,” said Johnson after racing. “It was a hard-fought battle. We were following the pressure. The key was the pressure lines. That is all today was.”

He noted that the wind pressure on the race course can be a challenge, but there is more to it depending on the conditions. “Today was still tactical, but in tomorrow’s light air, we’ll find out,” he said. “We’re playing each day as it comes. We’re used to having a lot of breeze here, but it hasn’t been that way. We’re better when we’re most focused as a team. And we are at the moment. It’s not easy. Everyone here is here because they’re great competitors and we’re proud to be part of the group.”

This evening the Team hosted a party for the large group of friends and family who have made their way from the USA to Weymouth and Portland.

Racing on Sept. 3 is scheduled to begin at 11:00 BST with the SKUD-18, 2.4mR and then the Sonar races at 14:00.

About the Paralympic Sailing Regatta

The Paralympic Regatta will be held September 1-6, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London. Eleven races are scheduled on Portland Harbour, with two races per day September 1-5 and one race on September 6. A total of 80 sailors will compete in three events: 2.4mR (16), SKUD-18 (22) and Sonar (42).
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Results: http://www.sailing.org/paralympics/london2012/results.php

SKUD-18: Jen French and JP Creignou

Jen French and JP Creignou had an outstanding first day of racing in the Two Person Keelboat (SKUD-18) finishing 3rd and 5th in the 11-boat fleet. After two races they find themselves in 4th place, one point out of third behind Canada.

“We had good boat speed,” said French after racing. “It was shifty so it was a little tricky. There isn’t a lot of room for error in this fleet because we have some really good guys.”

Although the wind was dying in strength throughout the day, never reaching more than 10 knots, French went on to explain that the race committee kept up well by changing courses. “It’s all about playing the shifts,” she said. “It’s day one and there’s a lot of racing to go. First day jitters, I think everyone has them. You never get too emotional because it’s a long way to go. It’s a fun fleet to race in and it always makes for good racing.

2.4 Metre: Mark LeBlanc

Mark LeBlanc started the day with a third place in race one. It was so close at the finish line among the fleet that it wasn’t until after the racing ended for the day that he found out. With a 8th in race two, LeBlanc is currently in 4th overall, just four points from third.

“I had an OK start,” said LeBlanc after racing. “I ended up sailing well and was 5th or 6th at each mark rounding, and passed some boats downwind to finish 3rd. “

Despite the fleet being a little more on edge in the pre-start maneuvering, LeBlanc explained that it’s best not to get caught up. “In the end you always try to treat it like any regatta,” said LeBlanc. “It wasn’t too nerve wracking. It’s all about going through the steps of a race: good start, good speed, good race management, trying to do your best.”

Sonar: Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson

The first race went very well for Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson in the 14-boat Sonar event where they ended in third place, but the second race found them in the back of the fleet after the start and having to find the best way through the fleet.

“We kinda got pinned out on the left and had a second where we could have crossed and we would have been first or second around the top mark,” said Brown. “But we just didn’t have the cajones to do the flip and cross. We would have had to cross France. There was a second where we had the option, but it was one of those dicey ones if we had to have crossed we had to have, but if we didn’t we would have had to duck a lot of boats. We got pinned out actually. A couple of boats came underneath us and all the boats going flipped up on top of us. We got shut out the back and got the fishing rods and started reeling back in.”

The Sonar practice race on Aug. 31, photo IFDS

They went from 12th at the beginning of the race to finishing 6th. They’re currently in 4th place overall.

Racing on Sept. 2 is scheduled to begin at 11:00 BST with the SKUD-18, 2.4mR and then the Sonar races at 14:00.

Follow the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team

• Website http://Olympics.USSailing.org
• Video interviews on YouTube channel http://www.YouTube.com/USSailingTeam.
• Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/USSailingTeam
• Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/USSailingTeam.
• To subscribe daily reports http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/News/The_Medalist.htm

About the Paralympic Sailing Regatta
The Paralympic Regatta will be held September 1-6, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London. Eleven races are scheduled on Portland Harbour, with two races per day September 1-5 and one race on September 6. A total of 80 sailors will compete in three events: 2.4mR (16), SKUD-18 (22) and Sonar (42).

About the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team
The U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. Athletes in each Paralympic class were selected to the Team based on performance at two selection events. Three Paralympic Sailing events will be contested September 1-6: One Person Keelboat (2.4mR), Two Person Keelboat (SKUD-18) and Three Person Keelboat (Sonar).

The Team is supported by Team Leader Lee Icyda (Boulder, Colo.), Coach Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.), Coach Marko Dahlberg (Ylojarvi, FIN), Coach  Ian Clingan (Swansea, Wales), Boatwright Donnie Brennan (Mobile, Ala.), Press Officer Dana Paxton (Newport, R.I.), Physiotherapist Sue Crafer (Sydney, AUS), Meteorologist Doug Charko (Regina, CAN), Social Media/Logistics Will Ricketson (Newport, R.I.), Manager Meredith Muller (Newport, R.I.), Olympic/Paralympic Program Chair Dean Brenner (Wallingford, Conn.) and High Performance Director/Head Coach Kenneth Andreasen (Tampa, Fla.).

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit us at www.ussailing.org.

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Jen French and JP Creignou (both St. Petersburg, Fla.) will sail in the Two Person Keelboat, the SKUD-18. This is the first Games for French, while Creignou is a 2004 Paralympic bronze medalist (Sonar).

One practice race was scheduled today at 11:00, but with unstable wind conditions racing was delayed for an hour. Once racing was underway, the conditions saw 90-degree shifts, but Creignou said that it was valuable time spent.

“The practice race was to check our systems, because we just put the boat back together after measurement,” he explained. “We also used it to do some tuning to make sure we’re good on speed. Nothing fancy, just making sure we’re fast enough.”

The two have spent a good amount of time training in St. Petersburg, Fla. and here at the Paralympic venue, with coach Ian Clingan. “Everything is working well and we’re looking forward to starting,” said Creignou. “We were very lucky to hook up with Ian last year. We really mesh well with him and he is very calm. He knows the boat very well and he’s a good fit for us. We are very confident with him on our side and how we have prepared for the regatta.”

The team’s past performance highlights in the SKUD-18 include a bronze medal at US Sailing’s 2012 Rolex Miami OCR and a silver at the International Association for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) World Championships. French and Creignou are both members of St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

In the One Person Keelboat, the 2.4 Metre, Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) will represent USA for the first time.

Today’s practice race gave everyone a chance to warm-up and to check the boat’s speed. “We’ve been sailing against each other for years now, so you know who is doing what and who is the better sailor,” said LeBlanc. “My goals for this event is to do as well as I can. This is my first time at the Games. I’m trying to take it all in and do as well as I can.”

LeBlanc is coached by Marko Dahlberg. “He’s got a tremendous amount of knowledge,” said LeBlanc. “He helped coach Johnny (Ruf) to a bronze medal in China and he has the know-how and talent. He’s a two-time world champion in the 2.4. We’ve been working together for six years and have a great relationship.”

He went on to note that his hometown of New Orleans was on his mind, but that his own home was OK following Hurricane Isaac.

LeBlanc realized his dream of qualifying for the 2012 Games after a disappointing finish at the 2008 Paralympic Trials in the 2.4mR. He tied on points with, and finished second to, John Ruf (Pewaukee, Wis.), who went on to win the 2008 Paralympic bronze medal. LeBlanc, the 2011 2.4mR National Champion, represents Southern Yacht Club.

Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) are all Paralympians, with a combined three Paralympic medals. Callahan is a 2000 Paralympian (Sonar), Johnson is a 2004 Paralympic Bronze Medalist (Sonar), and Brown is a two-time Paralympian, winning bronze in 2000 (2.4mR) and silver in 2004 (2.4mR).

“The boat is as good as it’s ever been,” said Brown. The first couple of days we broke everything we could and then Donnie put it back together stronger than ever. We practiced yesterday and it was faster than ever. Today, we finished fifth, but we were probably the fastest boat downwind. We’re ready to go; we just want to hear that starting gun go.”

On the 11-race series: “What I like about this format is that there’s not a lay day,” said Brown. “The Games in Athens, I was leading going into the lay day and it threw off my momentum.”

The team is coached by Betsy Alison. “She has done everything she could possibly do,” he continued. “She has done everything we have asked of her and more. We are prepared. There isn’t anything more we need to do except start the boat.”

The team finished 6th at US Sailing’s 2012 Rolex Miami OCR. Callahan represents New York Yacht Club YC) and Charlotte Harbor YC and Johnson is a member of St. Petersburg YC and Shake-A-Leg Miami.

Racing format

Eleven races are scheduled on Portland Harbour, with two races per day September 1-5 and one race on September 6. A total of 80 sailors will compete in three events: 2.4mR (16), SKUD-18 (22) and Sonar (42).

How to follow the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team

• Team news will be posted to the website http://Olympics.USSailing.org, along with a photo gallery, video and audio interviews.
• Video interviews with the Team will be posted to the website or subscribe to the Team’s YouTube channel http://www.YouTube.com/USSailingTeam.

• For more news throughout the day or to post a message to the Team or an individual athlete, follow the US Sailing Team on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/USSailingTeam or on Twitter http://www.Twitter.com/USSailingTeam.

• To subscribe to the Teams daily reports through the Medalist newsletter, go to http://sailingteams.ussailing.org/News/The_Medalist.htm

How to follow the Paralympic Games

• U.S. Paralympics will provide 10 daily video highlights packages via its U.S. Paralympics YouTube channel. The videos will chronicle the competition, athlete stories and will also include the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.USParalympics.org will also have significant coverage of the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Team.
• NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will air one-hour highlight shows on Sept. 4, 5, 6 and 11 at 7 p.m. EDT. Following the Paralympic Games, on Sept. 16, NBC will broadcast a 90 minute special from 2-3:30 p.m. EDT. All NBC and NBC Sports Network Paralympic highlight shows and specials will re-air on Universal Sports Network and UniversalSports.com.
• The IPC, the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, also recently announced its online coverage plans for the 2012 Paralympic Games, which will include broadcasting 580 hours of live sport from London 2012 on Paralympic.org during the competition.
• During each day of London 2012, the IPC website will broadcast four streams of uninterrupted live coverage from the Paralympics with English commentary, including daily coverage of swimming, wheelchair basketball and athletics, while a fourth channel will cover a range of sports. A fifth channel will broadcast a mixture of sports with Spanish commentary.
• In addition, more than 1,000 hours of sporting action from a number of venues, including individual races and matches, will be made available on Paralympic.org as video on demand during the course of the Games. Two daily five minute news bulletins will also be produced in English and Spanish.

Paralympic Events

The Paralympic Regatta will be held September 1-6, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London. There are 11 ra

History

Sailing appeared as a demonstration sport at the 1996 Atlanta Games and in 2000 was included in the Paralympic Games Competition program as a medal sport with events for the Sonar (three person keelboat) and the 2.4mR (single-person keelboat). Tom Brown won a bronze medal in the 2.4mR event.

The same events were on show at Athens 2004 and JP Creignou and Brad Johnson won a bronze medal in the Sonar, while Tom Brown won his second Paralympic medal, a silver, in the 2.4mR.

The SKUD18 was introduced for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics Games as the equipment for the two-person dinghy outlining the evolution of sailing at the Games. Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker won the USA’s first gold medal at the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Regatta in Qingdao, China. John Ruf exceeded expectations by winning an impressive bronze medal in a tight 2.4 mR fleet.

About the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team
The U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. Athletes in each Paralympic class were selected to the Team based on performance at two selection events. Three Paralympic Sailing events will be contested September 1-6: One Person Keelboat (2.4mR), Two Person Keelboat (SKUD-18) and Three Person Keelboat (Sonar).

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit us at www.ussailing.org.

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2012 Paralympic Team (back row): Mark LeBlanc, JP Creignou, Brad Johnson, Tom Brown (front row): Paul Callahan, Jen French

The 2012 U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team represents the best of American Paralympic sailing. The six members were selected based on performances at US Sailing’s 2012 Rolex Miami OCR, held Jan. 23-28, 2012, in Miami, Fla., and the International Federation Disabled Sailing (IFDS) Worlds held two weeks earlier in Port Charlotte, Fla.

As the top-scoring eligible American athletes in their respective Paralympic sailing classes, Jen French and JP Creignou, Mark LeBlanc, and Paul Callahan, Tom Brown and Bradley Johnson successfully completed qualification.

“These six athletes have shown they have the desire required to win Paralympic medals,” said Olympic Sailing Committee Chairman Dean Brenner (Wallingford, Conn.). “Four of the members have already been to the Games, and they bring a great deal of experience and wisdom to the overall Team.”

Jen French and JP Creignou (both St. Petersburg, Fla.) secured the bronze in the SKUD-18 at Rolex Miami OCR and with it the Team Trials. Creignou is a 2004 Paralympic bronze medalist (Sonar).

“When I crossed the finish line, my coach told me I had won,” said French dockside after racing. “It’s very exciting. We had a tough week. Most of the boats have been close together, and all of the boats competing give us an idea of what the Paralympics will be like. There were a lot of medalists from Paralympics and others who have been to the Games. You have to sail your best against them.”

French and Creignou are both members of St. Petersburg Yacht Club.

Mark LeBlanc (New Orleans, La.) realized his dream of qualifying for the Games after a disappointing finish at the 2008 Paralympic Trials in the 2.4mR. He tied on points with, and finished second to, John Ruf (Pewaukee, Wis.), who went on to win the 2008 Paralympic bronze medal.

“It’s been a great day,” said LeBlanc moments after reaching the dock at the end of Rolex Miami OCR. “I sealed the deal and won the Trials.”

LeBlanc, who finished 8th at Rolex Miami OCR, is a member of Southern Yacht Club.

Paul Callahan (Cape Coral, Fla./Newport R.I.), Tom Brown (Castine, Me.) and Bradley Johnson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) are all Paralympians, with a combined four Paralympic medals. They finished Rolex Miami OCR in 6th. “We’ve been to working hard for three years,” said Callahan. “We’re looking forward to winning a gold medal for USA.”

Paralympic Events
The three sailing events selected for the 2012 Paralympic Games are: Paralympic One Person Keelboat (2.4mR); Paralympic Two Person Keelboat (SKUD18); and Paralympic Three Person Keelboat (Sonar).

US Sailing will send a maximum of one boat per event to the 2012 Paralympic Games for a maximum team size of six. The Paralympic Regatta will be held August 29-September 9, 2012, in the towns of Weymouth and Portland, which are located on the southern coast of England, approximately 120 miles southwest of London.

History
Sailing appeared as a demonstration sport at the 1996 Atlanta Games and in 2000 was included in the Paralympic Games Competition program as a medal sport with events for the Sonar (three person keelboat) and the 2.4mR (single-person keelboat). Tom Brown won a bronze medal in the 2.4mR event.

The same events were on show at Athens 2004 and JP Creignou and Brad Johnson won a bronze medal in the Sonar, while Tom Brown won his second Paralympic medal, a silver, in the 2.4mR.

The SKUD18 was introduced for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics Games as the equipment for the two-person dinghy outlining the evolution of sailing at the Games. Nick Scandone and Maureen McKinnon-Tucker won the USA’s first gold medal at the 2008 Paralympic Sailing Regatta in Qingdao, China. John Ruf exceeded expectations by winning an impressive bronze medal in a tight 2.4 mR fleet.

Photo: Back row LtoR: Mark LeBlanc, JP Creignou, Brad Johnson, Tom Brown. Front row: Paul Callahan, Jen French Credit: Mick Anderson

About the U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team
The U.S. Paralympic Sailing Team is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. Athletes in each Paralympic class were selected to the Team based on performance at two selection events.

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit us at www.ussailing.org.
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