team paradise.org

Team Paradise had one entry in the Sonar class during the recent Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (MOCR). Patrik Norstrom (SWE) and Bryan Tabler from Orlando, FL, who sailed together with me in the US-Sailing Sonar camp last year, were determined to enter the MOC), an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) "Grade A" event. The competition would be the best in the world, teams who just would have finished the World Championship on the Florida west coast, teams that are in their final preparations to race in the Paralympic Games, teams who have been sailing together for many years, teams that are on top of their game and as good as they ever will get.

Our main challenge was to find a disabled mainsheet trimmer, which is vital position in sailboat racing. The main sheet It's like the throttle of a speed boat, or the carburetor of a race car, a crucial component for speed. It would be hard to find that third key person. Someone good, with minimal disability and max ability. The Sonar rules allows for a maximum of 14 points in a functional classification system that ranks disabilities in a scale from 1-7.  Seven would be someone with the least amount of disability and a one would be someone with the most  severe physical impairment. Patrik was not yet classified and we weren't sure if he would be a 1, 2, or 3. Bryan is a 4, so we needed someone with a 6, or a 7 rating. The crew search was on, but all the "hot" prospects were already taken, or they had something better to do. This is when we got a bit lucky and timing was on our side, which always helps. I received an email from a Canadian citizen who had is right leg amputated below the knee a couple of years ago. He had learn about Team Paradise and wanted to come to Miami to learn sailing and how to race sailboats. We Skyped back and forth many times. Patrik and Bryan eventually joined in on the conversation and details began to take shape. Steve had no classification either, so that became a hurdle. He also needed to do some fund-raising to make it happen and he did. 

The whole idea was kind of  "nutty" and I'm not sure if it has ever been done before (or if we will do it again). To put three individual together in a Paralympic competition, where two of them were total rookies (by the definition), two of them had have never met, one has no arms, another one no legs and with a combined sailing experience of next to nothing. Then there was the language barrier. Patrik never sailed with anyone other than Swedes. They had to study our glossary page. Adding to challenge was that I battled with the flue during the week of racing, which rendered me voiceless and unable to communicate much from the coach boat. In my mind it all became an experiment, really, the "Miami Experiment". 

Steve arrived in Miami on January 3rd and training began right of way. The breeze in general has been up for the most part of last several months, but the beginning of January was pretty light. There very a couple of days when we felt like in the doldrums and couldn't sail. Instead, Steve studied our written instructions and furthered his knowledge base along. In the beginning, we went 2.4mR sailing , because it's the quickest and best way to learn sailing, in my opinion. We then rigged our oldest Sonar "711" and began practicing, ahead of Patrik's arrival. Steve helmed and trimmed the main to get a feel for how closely related they are. Danny Evans sailed a bit of 2.4mR with us and also assisted with the coaching. Brad Johnson help our effort along by going Sonar sailing with Danny and Steve. Brad ended up winning the Sonar Paralympic trials with Paul Callahan and Tom Brown the following week. We couldn't get much better help than that!

Patrik landed in Miami on Wednesday, January 18th. He brought along a wooden tiller that he had made at work. It must be the first tiller ever made by Volvo, because this is where Patrik works as an industrial designer. The tiller design worked out great, but Volvo better stick to cars and trucks, because it  snapped the first day as Patrick fell on it would gradually keep delaminating throughout the regatta. 

Patrik's abilities are tremendous! I had the pleasure of getting to know him and see how he operates. He drives a car, uses the drill machine, hammer and chisel, draws on the marker-board, ties knots and abel to carry whatever. He refers to his feet as hands, because he never had arms and always had to use his feet. Actually, he is a lot more abled than some people that have all their limbs in place

There were many questions in my mind about "Miami Experiment". Surely, we would have to focus on the process and not the result. That was obvious, but how would they hold up as a team on the water? Would the blame game amongst them begin, or would a leader be established. I made them fully prepared for being the last boat to finish in every race. Sure enough, they came back with two DFL (Dead ******* Last) after the first day of racing. At the debriefing they were all fired up and wowed not to repeat the same finish the following day. I was quick to point out that it would be very unrealistic and only generate disappointment. Eventually, I could see that the last place finishes were wearing on them as the week progressed and the outcome remained the same. Thanks to us all being mature adults, we stayed together as a team and for that I'm more proud than anyone would know. Bryan Tabler, who discovered Team Paradise in 2005, works for the Disney Institute in Orlando, which basically sets the standard for all Disney employees, suggested a change at the eve of the final day of racing. He suggested to switch position with Steve and trim the main and assume the leader roll on the boat. It made total sense, because Bryan has some experience in racing and I had  coached him to become a mainsheet trimmer a couple of years ago. It was my mistake for not putting him there from day one! That job is way to demanding for someone new to sailing. We discussed the change amongst ourselves and we all agreed to do it.

The final day of racing was the windiest of the series, the breeze gusting above 20 knots. It was a spectacular day, one that we will remember for a long time. The course was windward - leeward, but instead of the usual 2 laps, it was 3-times around.  I cheered on from the coach boat as they went through the gate. With one boat behind them, not far behind the pack and only a few boat lengths behind the US Paralympic rep, they were looking pretty darn good. Other coaches cheered on as well. The eventually would be past and fell back to where we were distent to finish this event, in last.

It was a happy ending to a "long" week. I'm grateful to have made some new friends that may stick to the sport. Patrik belongs in Skud18 and that's what we should try next. Steve should persue the 2.4mR as he originally planned. He has plenty of good talent and I encourage him to keep going. Bryan should be sailing more, because he has the basic training and abilities, but only sailing once to twice per year is not enough in order to get really good.

Thanks for taking my abuse on and off the race course. All I wanted was for you to give it your all and still have fun - You did everything I asked of you!

As for the "Miami Experiment"? Two rookies in a 3-person boats requires someone really good to make up the difference. Ideally, one rookie should be teamed up with an experienced crew, because he/she would learn much quicker in that setting. I contribute my success to all the great sailors that I have crewed for. I learned something every time out sailing and was never concerned about their expertise. Whatever you want to get better at, hang out with those that are.

All for now!