A Love 4 Sailing

It is with great sorrow that I inform you that my husband Nick passed peacefully at home on January 2nd, 2009. I will miss him terribly but know he is without pain and suffering.  My love and heart goes out to all who share this sorrow.  On behalf of Nick I want to thank ever so deeply all who have been a part of this incredible journey.  Without your support and love the incredible dream could not have become a reality.  A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Dr., Corona del Mar, CA 92625.  I lieu of flowers please make donations to BYC MSSF, 1901 Newport Blvd., Suite 350, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 OR the ALS organization www.alsa.org

With love and gratitude,

Mary Kate Scandone

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - U.S. Paralympians, their stories and competition from the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China, will be featured in an NBC highlight show presented by GE at 2:30 pm Eastern Time, Sunday, Nov. 9. The 90-minute broadcast will be narrated by NBC Sports’ Bob Costas.

“NBC and GE’s broadcast of the 2008 Paralympics provides all Americans an opportunity to be introduced to some outstanding performances and amazing role models that represented the U.S. at the 2008 Games,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, U.S. Olympic Committee. “The fact that NBC and GE are airing this show on network television also speaks to the growing importance and value of the Paralympic Movement in the United States.”

The NBC Sports Paralympic special features an in-depth look at some of the top U.S. Paralympic athletes as they trained for and competed in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. The documentary, produced by Emmy Award-winning NBC Sports producer David Michaels, takes viewers on a journey into the lives of eight athletes plus the U.S. Paralympic Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team, with compelling stories of determination.

Complementing the NBC Sports special will be a Universal Sports broadcast presentation of the 2008 Paralympic Games. Beginning Monday, Nov. 10, and continuing through Nov. 16, the network will air four hours of Paralympic Games highlights each night from 7-11 p.m. Eastern Time. The 28 hours of coverage will include both the Opening and Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Paralympic Games. 

To learn more about U.S. Paralympics and its programs, visit www.usparalympics.org.

For more information, please contact the USOC Communications Division at (719) 866

China was incredible but it’s nice to be home.  We have had overwhelming support and attention since we arrived home. Starting with I was met by over 100 people at John Wayne Airport.  What a wonderful surprise.  I could not believe that many showed up. Driving home from the airport I turned onto my street to  every house flying their American flag and my house was decorated with balloons, signs and a fridge full of food.  However, I was so exhaused from traveling that I went right to bed and slept for 15 hours straight.  I apologize to all those who I have not gotten back to yet, but I am slowly gaining some of the energy back and hopefully will be able to  do so. 

I know the media coverage in China was minimal if non-existent, but here is what I know about coverage coming up.  Universal Sports/NBC is doing a 90 minute documentary on the paralympics to be aired sometime November 9th,  you will have to check your local listing to see if you get that channel.  Universal Sports/WCSN is supposed to air the paralympics November 10 thru 17th.  I am not sure if any sailing will be featured.  NBC and MSNBC on TV and online are considering doing another spot on me for “Making A Difference” with Brian Williams Nightly News.  They have not told me when it will air, but they already did the interview with me and filmed part of the BYC party.

Thanks to Balboa Yacht Club and all who atteded the welcome home party. I hope I was able to share the experience with you and especially winning the Gold medal. Remember, live you life everyday and your dreams can still come true.  Don’t ever give up and enjoy the ride.

You can look at some great photos taken by Maureen’s husband Dan Tucker at http://dantucker.smugmug.com

Short Version:  Gold Medal.

Long Version:  GOOOOOOOOLD MEDAAAAAAAAAL!!!

It official, with only two races to go, Maureen and I have clinched the Olympic Gold Medal.  Today we will take a ceremonial victory lap in the first race and watch the second race from the sidelines.  Thank you all for your emails and support, I will write more in the coming days.

 Nick

Short version: After two days of racing we completed 5 races.  Our finishes have been 2,1,1,1,3.  For a total of 8 points.  This puts us currently in first place with 6 races to go. 

Long version:  Qingdao has been what we have expected.  Light winds and warm weather.  Breeze has been in the 3 to 7 knot range with lots of lulls and chop.  There has been no green algae that we heard so much about. 

Race 1:  After a so so start we sailed the middle of the course up the first beat.  Left side ended up paying which had us rounding the first mark in 3rd.  With a tight reach, no passing occurred.  As we stayed down the right side on the run the first two boats jibed and played the left.  This allowed them to slightly extend their lead as our attempt to stay out of the current was over shadowed by the lack of wind on our side.  Up the next beat we passed the second place boat but were unable to catch the team in first, finishing second.

Race 2:  With a good start we protected the left side and extended throughout the race. We ended up first with a comfortable lead.

Race 3:  Starting in about three knots we struggled to hold our lane and was forced to tack to the right.  We rounded the weather mark in 4th and maintained that position to the reach mark.  With some good down wind jibes we passed the 2nd and 3rd place  boats.  Up the next beat we played the shifts and rounded in first. We held on to the finish.

 Race 4:  We started in the middle of the line but the individual recall flag went up as Maureen and I debated if we were over.  We decided to return to the start line and restart.  Up the first beat we passed five boats and rounded mid fleet.  We jibed around the reach mark and picked off three more boats.  Up the next beat most of the fleet stayed left as we played the middle.  This turned out to be the right move as we rounded 2nd at the top mark.  Down wind we jibed on the leader and covered.  This allowed us to roll over the top of him and claim first place.

 Race 5:  After a very poor start, we rounded the weather mark in 5th as the front group had a big lead.  We steadily gained one spot at a time until we were in 2nd at the last top mark.  Unfortunatly, I failed to cover the 3rd place boat downwind and we lost our first boat in the middle of a race.  This gave us a 3rd place finish which is our current throw out. 

 We sit in first place overall with  6 races to go.  This experience has been somewhat overwhelming.  At the dock before the first race I had about a 10 minute moment of tears realizing that after all this time the racing was about to begin and I had officially survived to compete at the games.  It’s hard to describe what I was feeling but it was definitely a sence of accomplishment.  More to come, thanks for everyone’s support.

For current results go to www.sail-world.com OR www.isaf.comÂ

Hello from Quindao China! I have arrived safely and have checked into the athletes village.  I am restricted to what I can blog based on Olympic guidelines.  Updates will be limited to personal experiences and brief racing results.  If you would like to be included in more thourough updates, send Wendy Bell (wendybell87@yahoo.com) your email contact and she will be sure to add you to my distrubution list.  I will do my best to forward information once the racing begins on September 8th.  Until then, I am focused on final boat preperpations.   I have completed measurement and received my new US Flagged Spinaker.  Over the next few days I will be practicing on the designated race course and attending the Qingdao Opening Ceremonies.

I  am looking forward to fulfilling my life long dream,  and want to thank you all one more time for your support.

 My best,

Nick

Click below to see recent article in local  paper

http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2008/08/14/features/dpt-onthewater08152008.txt

* American Finn representative Zach Railey provides a video report from
Qingdao, showing the Olympic village for the athletes along with the layout
for the boat yard and the sailing course

http://app.talkfusion.com/talkFusionStudio/view.asp?241263_1746130

Zack explains blogging and photo restrictions that apply for both Olympic and Paralympic athletes during the games.   I will do my best to get as much information out as possible.  Another good source for information will be the paralympic website located on the right side of this page under “Regattas”.  Go USA!

Balboa Yacht Club will be having a send off party prior to me leaving for China.  It’s casual and will be held outdoors on the flag deck. All are welcome.

WHEN:  Thursday August 21st starting at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE: 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, CA

Below are links to a few articles that were written recently: 

http://www.yachtpals.com/nick-scandone-2095

The latest update, the team had a wonderful training session with Scott Whitman and Julia Dorsett who were just back from the test event in

We have been testing a new steering system which Scott has been using.  The steering now gimbals with the seat as before it did not.  We are currently in the process of packing the container which departs July 10^th.  One thing is that there are no marine shops in China so we must bring any spare gear that we may need such as tape, switches, wiring, blocks and shackles.

This has been one heck of a journey.  The sailing community has been overwhelmingly supportive. Our friends and family have endured the hardships of ever changing circumstances.  Maureen and I have kept a positive attitude and we all are just one regatta away from becoming Olympic medalist.  May we sail our best and enjoy the ride. Thank You.