Local Sailor (with Juvenile Arthritis) Takes on North America's Best And Wins

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Local Sailor Takes on North America's Best And Wins

http://www.thelog.com/news/newsview.asp?c=193005

CHICAGO - US Sailing and Chicago Yacht Club hosted the best disabled sailors

from the United States and Canada from August 3-8 as they competed for the

2006 Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup (IC/NACC).

, 31, of Point Loma, skippered his way to second place in the

Silver Fleet of the Freedom 20 class. Sailors completed 8 races in 3 days

through light variable wind, thunderstorms and gusts of 20 knots. and

his crew faced nine other outstanding teams while contending with the

debilitating pain caused by 30 years of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

began sailing four years ago with Challenged America and by taking

classes at the Mission Bay Aquatic Center. In this short time, has

been able to sail competitively in a number of local, national,

international, bay and offshore events.

His sailing resume includes competing in mainstream events against

" able-bodied " sailors, including events such as the National Offshore

One-Design regatta and the Transpac.