With a determination to beat last year’s accomplishment of winning 7 medals, the VYC Junior delegates traveled to the Mexico Olimpiada Nacional 2011 held May 11-14 on the beach at Progresso in the state of Yucatan. The team’s faces were glowing as they returned home with 9 medals for this year, two of which were gold!
A total of 14 youths participated on the Nayarit team.
Sailing Optimist, and coached by our own Eugenie Russel were Andrew McManus, Carlos Sainz, Cristopher Sanz, Emilia B. de Teresa, Juan Varela, Kevin Avalos, Melissa Medina, Sergiel Martinez, and Zayanya Carillo. Coached by Joaquin Bargallo and sailing Lasers were Manuel Dussal, and Paul Moreno. Three Sailboarders also participated, coached by Maria Elena Vivas, and they were Andrea Ortiz, Cristina Ortiz, and Federico Ortiz.
Sustained winds that sometimes reached 25 knots per hour were a constant challenge for the sailors. The help of the parents and other volunteers were greatly appreciated as the competitors braved the open ocean, many for the first time. Having already sailed often in the open waters of our Bahia de Banderas, the Nayarit team had great experience for this event. Their experience showed by their overall finish of fourth across all participating state teams in the event.
In spite of the winds, gold medals were won by Juan Bosco Varela Barba (Windsurfing) and Manuel Dussalt Gómez (Laser). Bringing in the silver were Emilia Boga de Teresa (Optimist), Andrea Ortiz Vivas (Windsurfing) and Paul Moreno (Laser). Bronze medals were won by Christina Ortiz (Windsurfing), Federico Ortiz (Windsurfing), Christopher Sainz (Optimist) and Carlos Sainz (Optimist).
Although it seems like a simple event to some, volunteers from the VYC performed many hours of work to help make this event happen. It all started with the loading of an 18 wheeler truck which took all the boats, spars, sailing gear, and even race committee equipment to the games. As the truck drove across Mexico, the volunteers flew over. Ibis de Teresa was the official chaparone for the team, and she was accompanied by Bob Henderson who managed the logistics of the trip and equipment. Jesse Coburn was asked to be the Race Officer running the Optimist race course. Federico Ortiz, President of the Nayarit Sailing Association and also a member of our club, assisted with security at the games. And then of course there were the coaches - Eugenie Russel, Jauquin Bargallo, and Maria Vivas - who each spent many hours before and during the games encouraging and coaching the Nayarit atheletes.
.jpg)
There are many beautiful more pictures for all to see. Visit these links:
http://vallartayachtclub.org/index.php/en/photos/photo-galleries
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
