The
Cayard Chronicles - Olympic Finals,
August 31st, 2004
I
am not going to spend time here analyzing what
I could have done better. I do that every night
in bed. I would just like to make a few observations
and thank a few people.
First,
Phil and I are truly blessed to have had the opportunity
to race in the Olympics and represent our country.
With so many people around the world experiencing
difficult times, this must not be overlooked.
For
me, the biggest reward out of this will be if
I succeeded in demonstrating to my children how
much hard work goes into trying to achieve lofty
goals. After all, as parents, our biggest job
is to set an example, and I hope that my children,
14 and 15 years old, know a little bit more about
what it means to work really hard for something.
Finally,
I would like to thank everyone who supported and
followed our efforts over the past few years.
I have seen it written in several articles that
I spent over $100K of my own money on this effort.
This is true but that money was spent just preparing
and winning the Olympic Trials. I want to make
it known that since I won the Olympic Trials,
all my expenses have been covered. These amounted
to another $125K. The bulk of this funding came
from US Sailing and the St. Francis Yacht Club
Foundation with an additional $10K raised around
the Lorain OH area, Phil's home town. Also, the
New York Yacht Club fundraiser in May was a great
success and needless to say, all these funds were
very much appreciated!!!
What's
next?
After resting for a couple of days I am back to
Farr 40 sailing this week with the Samba Pa Ti
team. We have a warm up regatta this weekend at
San Francisco Yacht Club then the World Championship
starts September 8th-11th at St. Francis Yacht
Club. Should be a great regatta with about 30
boats from all over the world participating. After
that, I am going to Sardinia for the Swan Cup
sailing with my friend Leonardo Ferragamo. As
I write this, is realize that I need to take a
step back, out the moment, and realize that I
am blessed to have this life.
In
closing, I am once again sending you some emails
that I have received. Some of you have said it
better than I could. Here are a few that really
have helped me out these days....
Dear
Paul,
Keep your chin up. We are very proud of you. I,
like so many following your regatta can only summeise
what you might be feeling. MOST of us have never
been to the Olympics and never will. You have
fulfilled the first part of your dream. We have
all known disappointments in our jobs, our family
and our sports, so enjoy the tough experience,
learn from it and I know that one day you will
appreciate the time you spent chasing your dream
in 2004.
Once
a good friend and sailor told me- "it is
better to live a moment in the sunshine than a
lifetime in the shade". You got the sunshine
part right whipping all of us at the Star trials
and having the opportunity to walk in that stadium
representing all of us Americans. I get chills
just thinking of what that might have been like.
Enjoy it and just think of all us other guys who
have never had the Olympic sunshine you received.
By the way, the sailor who told me that was none
other than Ted Turner.
To
me the results are amazing when you consider how
the Brits and the Swedes were probably considered
the teams to beat when everyone went to the Med
this summer. It is a strange and rewarding sport
we participate in and that is what keeps old guys
like me coming back for a little more fun and
a little bit of sunshine .
Have
a good vacation and time with your family. Remember,
those who competed against you know you gave it
your all, what more can we wish for. Your friend.
John Dane III
Hi
Paul/Phil
No
question you gave it your absolute best shot and
that it sounded like an unbelievably difficult
place to sail and that you could drive yourself
crazy analyzing the event.
Being
the perfectionist you are I am sure that you personally
disappointed with the result which is only human.
Your
family and many friends know that you gave it
your all so do not beat yourself up to much!!.You
represented your country in the true Olympic style
and experienced what many of us can only dream
about.
Time
with family and friends will heal the pain and
hopefully motivate you for 2008.
Congratulations
on a great effort.
Geoff
Stagg
Paul-
When
you decided to compete in the Star Class in the
Olympics, you indicated that the competition represented
the best sailors in the world. Your track record
puts you in that class As you predicted, the competition
was all that you expected and then some.
Age
At your age you figured to be older than your
competition. However, your two year training program
made you as physically fit as your competitors.
Weather
You and everyone have commented on how erratic
and unpredictable the weather would be off of
Athens. Wind shifts of 35 degrees were common
with very low velocity. This made weather prediction
a real crap-shoot. Tactics meant being in the
right place at the right time. Nobody could afford
to make a mistake and hope to make up for it.
You
have good reason to analyze what happened to you.
Having said that, however, some of us are concerned
that, in blaming yourself unfairly for the results,
you are making too much of a public demonstration.
Everyone who knows you is well aware that you
did your best. There were a lot more boats behind
you versus those who were ahead. Your friends
are proud of you and know that you are the best.
Now
is the time to move on. You are a great credit
to your country and you do not need to prove anything
to anyone. You have a huge potential for future
competition in every direction. Your family and
friends are here for you!
-Fritz
and Lucy
Paul
I'm
sorry that things didn't come your way in Athens.
I have enjoyed reading your reports, and I have
to say, that I'm really impressed with the way
you handle yourself under extremely difficult
situations. As usual, you have prepared your self
well, but unfortunately, the Olympics reflect
only one regatta, and you did your very best.
My compliments to you and Phil, for a great effort
!
Best,
Vince
Vincent
Brun
North Sails One Design
So,
I guess we both know, that, as Kipling said...
IF
"If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same; ...
If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty
seconds' worth of distance run, Yours is the Earth
and everything that's in it, And--which is more--you'll
be a Man, my son! "
Paul,
like many others, I sincerely enjoy reading about
your campaigns. You have a gift for letting it
all hang out and sharing it with others. That's
inspirational. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jack
Jack
Griffin
Paul,
I know that you are disappointed, but you should
be very satisfied with and proud of the effort
you and Phil made and the way you guys represented
our country. You are the only American that recognized
early on the effect the Finnsters would have on
the Star class and what it would take to match
them; and you not only matched, you beat the two
main Finnsters. With any kind of luck you would
have been 2nd and had a shot at beating Torben.
And remember, this is just the way sailing is,
"the life we have chosen". Congratulations
on a great effort and hold your head high! I hope
to see you soon, Augie Diaz
Paul,
I
know you are disappointed, but I must tell you
Katy and I have truly enjoyed you emails each
day. In a world with so much negative press, getting
up each morning and reading about your events
was one of our highlights for the day! It was
your honesty in the emails that made them so them
so good, thank you for taking the time to write
then and making us all feel a part of your adventure
over the last year.
Now
don't over analyze your campaign too much go and
spend some time with your family and relax!!!
Katy
& Kimo
Paul,
You
have had an immensely successful career in sailing
and have distinguished yourself on many occasions.
However, some things are just not meant to be,
and apparently a medial in the 2004 Olympics was
one of those things. I have had a business career
where things have gone right for me most of the
time as well. However, there are also times when
things are just not meant to be. I don't spend
a lot of time looking back. I try to learn from
the experience and move forward. I'm sure you
will do the some.
You
are a great representative of this country. I'm
proud of you!
Mike
Hi,
Cayard
just to remember you that you have a big gold
medal on your hairy chest : your fans, your friends,all
sailing lovers, all of us gave it to you a lot
of times (and it's there now). Hugs to Phil .
Take care of you and have good days at home.
Congratulations!
I am very pleased with your Olympic performance.
I suspect that you may have been disappointed
at the end, but hopefully by now you recognize
that it is a great achievement. Being fifth in
that field is incredible and you have a lot to
be proud of.
I'm
certainly proud of you and I have been bragging
about you two to anyone who will listen, just
as if I was a part of the team. I know that you
would have done just as well without me, but I
am happy to have been there and to feel some small
part of your efforts. Being a sports fan can be
difficult, especially in sailing! I've watched
many boat races, including you guys being last
and being first and I always believe in you.
I
can't imagine that being pro sailors is easy,
and I know the pressures of representing your
country can't always be fun. Your fans do appreciate
all that you've done, spending precious time and
money and getting a fabulous finish. Keep up the
good work for yourselves and for sailing. We need
you.
Thanks
for being great Olympians,
Janet
Janet
C. Baxter
Pao
THANKS
YOU.
Paul Cayard
