Greg & Peter sign off in Qingdao.Dear All:
Greg sailed his 9th and last race yesterday. They were not able to complete the full series of 10 races within the schedule. Today the medal race will take place for the 10 top sailors.
It has been an honour for Greg to represent Barbados here in Qingdao. Six weeks ago we did not know that he was going to be here. Sailing with the very best in the world has been a fabulous experience for Greg. The results on the scoreboard do not reflect the progress he has made leading up to this event and while he has been here. To be scored last overall in this group of Laser sailors is not something to be ashamed of.
Greg has asked me to convey his sincere appreciation for the support that so many have given him to get here and while he has been here. It meant a lot to him to be know that so many friends were behind his efforts. He hopes that his achievements will inspire other young sailors to pursue their dreams.
This has been a very special time for me as a father. I have had the opportunity to spend a month with Greg, to share many special moments such as the opening ceremony and the many challenges of competing against the best in what have been very difficult sailing conditions. I have been able to support him while he faced the greatest challenges that he has faced as a sailor. I am extremely proud of the commitment and maturity that he has shown in the most trying of times. He is up against great sailors who have had the benefit of much greater resources than we have been able to access in support of Greg’s goals. He is an amateur student/athlete competing against the very best of professional sailors who do this for a living and in some cases have done this for several years.
We have a few days here and in Beijing before heading home to Toronto. Greg starts the engineering program at Queen’s University on the 31st and so he does not have a great deal of time to rest, recuperate and get back into student mode.
Thank you again for all of your support for Greg.
Regards to all
Peter Douglas
No comments:
Post a Comment