8/9

The Close of the Olympics – Editorial by Candace Porter

There is a finality this morning as we awaken to a night without the NBC Olympic tune beckoning us to the TV. The world has changed – streaming, national network stations, cable stations (at least two plus one in Spanish) – so many means to access the progress of the world’s athletes on stage for a two-week period. On postday one, a nostalgia has set in, a longing for achievement on a world stage, the hope of a new champion, the story of a previously unknown level of dedication and perhaps hardship. It’s a good thing this comes around only every two years. The nation’s productivity declines for a brief period of time but the examples, the heroes, the displays of courage are often legend and so long remembered.

We in the ILYA have time to reflect now of our own stories. Four athletes, three disciplines – all champions with differing paths and accomplishments. Yes, accomplishments. Each athlete gave us joy, provided us opportunities to support, encourage, cheerlead and revel in the experience of the Olympics.

Our single medal winner is a diminutive, curly- haired, articulate, gracious young lady from Chenequa, WI. She is not without a back story – a most successful high school running champion who openly sought help to realize her worth was not her running but being Molly Seidel, the person. I recall a story where she was in the hospital for a routine test to ensure she was eating properly, to measure if those bones who took a pounding were strong, capable of the ordeal she daily inflicted on her body. She took the time to reach out in a meaningful way to an elderly ILYA member who was also seeking treatment. It was a genuine conversation with honesty about herself but sincere concern about the wellbeing of another. The sacrifice Molly Seidel brought to the Olympics is not about only Molly – she ran for a nation, ran for others with difficulties. The most telling comment in the after interview of that bronze winning performance was this (paraphrased), “I dared to stick my nose where it didn’t belong (in the elite pack of women running) and I am grateful”.  It is this attitude of serving others, recognizing a dream and her chance to reach a bit too high perhaps, accomplishing the unexpected that keeps us returning to a centuries-old competition to watch our broken athletes conquer much more than a medal can immediately represent. Congratulations to Molly and her Pine Lake family on perhaps the surprise of the Olympics. It is truly not the medal that is the important aspect of her story – it is her heart, her ability to recognize her burden and to conquer the larger challenge in life. For that she is a champion with bronze to boot.

Cedar Lake, WI is home to Alie Rusher. Sure she comes with a great pedigree. There are two Olympic medalists living in that house on Big Cedar. But there was a drive in that little one as an Opti sailor. She was playful and full of smiles but the competitive edge was present as she pushed her older sister to the front to just keep ahead of her. That sister went on to become a most talented Stanford rower in her own right. Kay set the tone but Alie followed dutifully and successfully. Alie was a last minute surger. She has been preparing for the 2024 Olympics in Paris when, lo and behold, she got the call a quadrennium early. Again, the hours of preparation, rowing at Stanford, moving to the East after college to achieve her highest level of performance – the discipline was rewarded as she rowed on a women’s four-person boat. But don’t blink – she will return and with any luck with her brother along her side. The welcome party for her performances at Cedar was held at the yacht club. Where else? We are nothing, if not a large extended family. The Eckert family holds a large contingent of the whole Cedar membership but the whole of Cedar became an Eckert - Rusher for this Olympics.

And now to our sailors – Steph Roble of Beulah and Lara Dallman Weis of White Bear. Both are located in FL now where they can sail any number of months, any kind of boat, any level of participation, any part of the world. They can be seen in any regatta that comes their way. Today they are home in FL, tomorrow in Europe. Fortunately, they return to our homelakes to enjoy what they learned as a youth. This is now their life, their vocation. It is physical, mental, financial – simply put, it is their job.

Lara came at this as a normal little girl – Opti, X boat, college sailing at Eckerd. She was honestly not a standout as a youth in terms of performance. She was multitalented with many interests. But somewhere a fire developed deep within. Maybe it was the physicality of the sport or the caliber of people she met. But some ten years out of college and she is a sailor through and through. A boat here, a boat there and she is suddenly an Olympian. How? She is a team player, an aggressive, dedicated partner. She was “matched” with Nicole Barnes. They had not known each other in any meaningful way but their personalities “matched” in a manner allowing them in a most short time to conquer a competitive field to represent the US. If there is one thing about Lara it is her joy. She brings the sharp competitive nature to the task but the passion, love, spirit is in everything she does. This is her driving force – joy! How fortunate we all are to see something we love taken to the highest level. Her gift to us is just that – an appreciation of a sport that has given and given to us. Thanks, Lara, for that enthusiasm that never wanes. We look forward to another four (or three) years teaching us the love of the game.  

Steph Roble was a natural from day one. I recall she was placed with a most average or below average sailor as a crew for a season. Why? Who knows but from that moment on, we all knew she would not settle. The boy skipper was much older but she was driven to NEVER be average. Perhaps that was the start of excellence. She won the ILYA Opti Championships as a total surprise. Who was that little girl? We all learned to watch and the enjoyment she brought us was immense.  She was a superstar as a youth, traveled with the Kent Haeger MOST crowd but was an international competitor at a very early age. The signs were all there for anyone who paid attention. But what is her impact as an Olympian? Well, the Olympics were not her first foray into success. Matchracing was her school. She learned so quickly and rose up to the top world ranking at record breaking speed. There others took notice – she became a part of a successful Melges 20 syndicate, won national championships there and as crew in other classes. Basically, she soaked in every boat, every manner of sailing. But where does the Olympics come in? It is a dream. Molly Seidel wrote about it in fourth grade before she ran her first race. Steph was on the path along with Annie Haeger at little girl tea parties. The dream was always there. Now, one short week after her return, what is the outcome? I know exactly how to answer this one. It was never about the medal. It was what she achieved but, more importantly, about what she gave back. Sure, giving speeches and Zoom presentations was a diversion during Covid – or was it? Perhaps this defined this entire time period of her life. WE LEARNED and LISTENED during this time. She and Maggie Shea gave us lessons for life – communication, teamwork, preparation, physical exertion, coaching methods. We learned about sailing at this level in a way that transported us there with them. But we LEARNED! We have an appreciation of what it takes to perform at this level. But we also have a path to follow. Does it apply only to sailing? Absolutely not. A door was opened listening to them - an approach to life that transfers to most any aspect of accomplishment. If business leaders only communicated as well as Steph and Maggie! But we can. That is the beauty of the gift of the Olympics. It is those athletes GIVING US so much. Again, it’s not the medal. It’s the heart of a champion that defines the end reward.

The ILYA and its clubs benefit greatly from these Olympic campaigns. We have a bright future as these folks remain (perhaps) but new faces emerge. Won’t the 49er campaign be interesting next time around? Will Chapman Petersen grow into the Laser quickly enough or is he a 2028 contender? What new name will arise or what sailor of today will appear in a sport other than sailing? Of this we are certain, champions arise due to the base they are provided early in life. There is no other home than the ILYA to develop skills, support and opportunities to thrill us in the years to come. Thank you, 2020 Olympians. You join an elite group of ILYA members who continue to lead us into new arenas. You have given us more than you can imagine. You are a gift we cherish. Congratulations and much appreciation for who you are and what you bring to all of us.

7/6

6/15

5/25

Stephanie Roble & Maggie Shea

Team USA's Women's Olympic 49er FX Team

Vilamoura, Portugal

https://www.roblesheasailing.com

Ola from Vilamoura, Portugal! We arrived here one week ago after a month and a half of very productive training in Miami. It was nice to be at home for April and half of May after spending 2 months away in Lanzarote, Spain in February and March. 

In Miami we spent a few weeks alone focused on intense boat handling days to build boat stamina as well as clean up maneuvers around the race course. We went out to the ocean for several training days to seek out difficult waves off the Florida coast in the Gulf stream. The water color off Key Biscayne was stunning and well worth the half hour tow each way. 

We also spent a few weeks finalizing our Olympic equipment with the Argentinian team and guest coach Tom Burnham. We put a lot of hours into testing masts and sails as well as putting the final touches on our Games boat, “La Jefa.” We are very grateful to our supporters who have helped us gain some really nice equipment. It is one of the big things we can control and we feel confident that we have fast stuff! 

We made the move to Portugal to seek out more conditions similar to Japan (small to medium chop & sea breeze) and to be around other boats. We are hitting the water each day with Argentina, Austria and Belgium with a nice mix of drills and racing. It is a really nice training group and each team brings different strengths. 

The focus in Vilamoura is to take advantage of being around other boats to work on starts, tactical boat handling, executing maneuvers under the pressure of other boats and racing. 

On June 2 we will move north up the coast to Cascais for our final regatta before the Olympics. Cascais is known for big breeze and waves and we are excited to refine our skills in these conditions as well as do more racing!

After that our plan is to come back to Vilamoura until the end of June with the same training group. Following that we will head home to Miami for some time in the heat on and off the water and then fly to Japan on July 10th.

We have 67 days until we start racing in Japan. We are aiming to make the most out of every day and continue to make forward progress as a team. We would like to say a huge thank you to anyone and everyone who has supported us along the way over the last 5 years. We are so proud to represent you! 

Weekly Update: May 21, 2021

Nikole Barnes and Lara Dallman-Weiss

Team USA’s Women’s Olympic 470 Team

Perfect Vision Sailing for the 2020 Summer Olympics

Miami, FL USA

perfectvisionsailing@gmail.com

Sandwiched between the 2021 470 European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal, and the start of a 1-month intense training camp in Santander, Spain, Nikki and Lara made a quick transatlantic trip back to the U.S. With hardly time to smell the spring flowers, Lara traveled home to Minnesota where author, photographer, avid sailor and Club member Jay Rendall, had organized an Olympic fundraiser at White Bear Yacht Club. (Photos attached)

“It was wonderful to visit home before leaving to compete in Japan this summer,” says Lara. “I am so proud of how the White Bear Yacht Club community has gotten behind us and showed their incredible support. I am also so grateful for my coaches, instructors, and parents who when I was learning to sail as a child were patient and loving with me. They laid the foundation in me for a life-long love of sailing.”

Two days after this event, Nikki was promoted to LT in a ceremony at the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami base in Florida. Nikki’s husband David, Lara, and Olympic coach Robby also participated in the ceremony. (Photos attached)

“I was extremely honored to be able to promote to LT while campaigning for the Olympics. I’m grateful to the Coast Guard for allowing me the time to continue to train for the Olympics!” says Nikki.

Nikki, Lara, and Robby flew to Santander, Spain, on May 17 for a 1-month training camp, the last extensive training before this summer’s Olympic Games. Twelve top women’s teams and 5 men’s teams are also participating in the camp.

“We are racing every day to keep the intensity high with the best teams!” says Nikki.

Ranking Update – 12^th in the World

Nikki and Lara moved from 14^th to 12^th in the Women’s 470 World Rankings, according to World Sailing's latest rankings, released May 17, 2021. All these top 12 teams, except 3 including Nikki and Lara, have sailed previously in an Olympics.  www.sailing.org/rankings_table.php?includeref=ranking26302&rankdiscipline=2&ranktype=3&rankclass=8&rankdate=latest

Recent Media

1. Part 1: Sailing to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. https://marinalife.com/sailing-to-the-2021-tokyo-olympics/

2. A Q&A with Nikki Barnes and Lara Dallman-Weiss on earning their berth to the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. www.sail-world.com/news/236671/Barnes-and-Dallman-Weiss-on-their-470-campaign

3. Olympian revisits her White Bear Lake sailing roots

https://www.presspubs.com/white_bear/olympian-revisits-her-white-bear-lake-sailing-roots/article_4da066e8-b9bc-11eb-87df-6b5989595173.html

4. US Sailing Team: This morning, selected 470 Women’s Tokyo 2020 Representative Nikole Barnes was promoted to Lieutenant in the United States Coast Guard at USCG Base Miami Beach.

https://twitter.com/USSailingTeam/status/1394362370630295552

5/11

Nikole Barnes and Lara Dallman-Weiss

Team USA’s Women’s Olympic 470 Team

Perfect Vision Sailing for the 2020 Summer Olympics

Miami, FL USA

perfectvisionsailing@gmail.com

Weekly Update: May 8, 2021

The 2021 470 European Championships were the star attraction of this week. Measurements started April 30 (something that happens before all major regattas to make sure all the boats are the same) and concluded with the last race on May 7.  Nikki and Lara finished 12^th in a tightly packed fleet comprised of top 10 ranked sailors and past medal-winners at the 2012 and 2016 Games. Let’s just say this was an elite fleet that not only included European sailors but also South American and Australians as well. Nikki and Lara punched above their weight, earning 12^th place after 11 races – including 2^nd and 3^rd place finishes as well as nearly half of their finishes in the top 10 – while being ranked 14^th in the world. This was the last major regatta for 470 sailors until the Olympics in June. It took place in Vilamoura, Portugal. See photos of the team sailing in the Europeans attached. https://2021europeans.470.org/en/default/races/race   

“The highlights (of the Europeans) were our 2 and 3rd place races, and not just because of the finishing places but because Nikki and I were completely in our flow. We had some moments of defeat that fill our notebooks and keep us asking questions and wanting more.We are fully focused on being the fastest boat and have an incredible training block coming up to keep pressing the pedal down,” says Lara.

Nikki agrees, “We made the most out of every day, pushing hard and learning as much as we could. Since it’s (the Europeans) the final race before the Olympics, we wanted to maximize the racing!”

Next Up

Nikki and Lara return to Miami for a week. During this week, Nikki will receive a promotion to LT on May 17 at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami. Lara will participate in a panel with the New York Yacht Club. Also, Lara’s hometown White Bear Yacht Club is hosting a fundraising evening for major donors on May 14. Both women will also receive their second COVID-19 vaccinations.

The week after, Nikki and Lara will return to Santander, Spain, for an intense month-long training camp with several other elite teams who are also Olympics bound.

Recent Media

1. Marinalife to Sponsor U.S. Sailing Team in 2021 Summer Olympics

https://www.prweb.com/releases/marinalife_to_sponsor_u_s_sailing_team_in_2021_summer_olympics/prweb17914612.htm Here is the magazine’s Olympic team page: https://marinalife.com/olympics/

2. Coast Guard officer headed to Tokyo Olympics

www.wearethemighty.com/articles/coast-guard-officer-headed-to-tokyo-olympics/

3. Fundraising underway to help finance sailors’ Olympic dreams

www.presspubs.com/white_bear/sports/local/fundraising-underway-to-help-finance-sailors-olympic-dreams/article_55399cec-9d71-11eb-b377-f7eba7440371.html

4. US Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association publication, The Bulletin.