Nashotah, Wisc - September 26, 2008 - Just 40 days ago, our five-year Team 7 Sailing Yngling campaign to win an Olympic medal ended in Qingdao, China. In some ways it feels like yesterday, in others it feels like a lifetime ago. Today the three of us are getting on with our lives, sailing in other classes, and considering our options for the 2012 Olympics in the United Kingdom.

Heavy air racing - - - Photo: Richard Gladwell, http://www.sail-world.com/usa/

Another big support mechanism for our campaign was US Sailing and our home yacht clubs. US Sailing provided the underlying structure and the US Sailing Team led by Dean Brenner anticipated all our needs and put in place all the infrastructure from team physios to boatwrights, and coaches to rules experts. It was an awesome effort, made even more so by the wonderful sense of camaraderie that developed on the team. Among the yacht clubs we’re especially grateful to, Sally wants to thank Pine Lake Yacht Club and Pewaukee Yacht Club and the entire ILYA, Debbie wants to recognize Sayville Yacht Club and the Bayport Blue Point Community, and Carrie wants to thank everyone in her community and especially Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

We would also like to thank our sponsors along the way. We have enjoyed working with the whole team and we feel incredibly fortunate that they joined in backing our dream. In no particular order; Harken, BE, Sperry, Doyle Sails, Sea Bags, Magic Marine, Selden, Orbis, Rigging Systems with Frank Atkinson, BRace Partners with Keith Taylor and John Bertrand, Forespar, Kaenon, Patagonia, Latis Yachting, SailFast, Smart Water, Himaya Sunscreen, Slam, and Zhik.

As you know by now it was a very tough event for us. It came down to the Medal Race when we still had a Bronze Medal in our sights. Things did not go our way, but we gave it all we had. We truly could not have even competed in the games if it was not for all the support we received from so many different families, companies and individuals.

Debbie at volleyball with Sarah Merganthaler, Amanda Clark and Nancy Rios

The toughest part has been returning home without a medal after all the hard work, anticipation and expectation, but at the same time it is important to remember what is ultimately important. The greetings on our return from families and close friends showed us we can hold on to the disappointment but ultimately it was about the journey, and we had an exceptionally good past five years.

Sally and Debbie celebrate Anna Tunnicliffe’s Gold Medal with other ODU sailors

Since getting back, we’ve been busy with a variety of things. Sally has been enjoying some time away from the intensity of Olympic sailing, spending time with family/friends, and this fall she will be match racing in the World Tour event in Bermuda as well as Korea and Annapolis. Debbie and Carrie raced in the recent US Women’s Match Racing Championship at the Rochester Yacht Club. Debbie's team finished fifth, while Carrie crewed for second-place finisher Genny Tulloch representing the St Francis and Houston yacht clubs. Carrie has also spent time in Europe at the iShares Cup regattas in X-40 catamarans where she is working for the organizers and taking sponsor guests sailing in the high-tech 40-foot catamarans.

Sally and Debbie at the Great Wall

In Qingdao, the Ynglings were the first class to begin competing and the first to finish racing. That left us with seven days to step away from the water and savor a taste of China before the end of the games. We all managed to spend time exploring the city of Beijiing, the Great Wall and take in the Olympic experience. Sally and Debbie who sailed at Old Dominion University, like Anna Tunnicliffe, the Laser Radial Gold Medalist, changed their travel plans to cheer Anna to her medal victory.

Carrie at the closing ceremonies with the green people

Next month our boats will arrive from China. Over a long campaign like this one you build up a sizeable inventory of gear. We are selling boats, spars, sails, and dozens of other items from communications gear to spare parts. If you are interested in anything contact Sally at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it It will be the end of an era and we’ll now turn our attention to Weymouth and Portland Harbor on the South Coast of England for the 2012 Olympics. We’ll be eagerly following the International Sailing Federation meetings in Spain in November to learn about their choice of classes and, with it, our opportunities to compete.

Sally, Debbie and Carrie

for Team Seven Sailing -
  - Sally Barkow, Debbie Capozzi, Carrie Howe