After a long flight back from Rio de Janeiro, Brad returned to a huge crowed of fans waiting for him at Tampa International Airport, including many officers and members of the Clearwater Yacht Club, friends, family, and news crews from local CBS affiliate, channel 10 WTSP, NBC affiliate WFLA Channel 8, and Bay News 9.
It was a exciting and emotional time for all.
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Finishing in impressive fashion, USA Sonar takes 1st in the final race to take the Silver. One second behind was New Zealand who just missed the bronze to CAN.
Congratulations to USA’s Rick Doerr, Brad Kendell and Hugh Freund and to Canada’s Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell and Scott Lutes.
The race may be over, but the story continues…
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In every way, every sailor in Rio is a bonified Olympian. The struggle, the hard work, the intensity, the goals, the determination. These athletes are athletes, through and through.
Each and everyone of them is different, better, and more for competing. And to compete at this level, one is truly a world-class athlete.
Making it to this level is recognition of extreme talent, dedication and drive. Making it to the podium is the extreme mark of achievement.
Australia has wrapped up the Gold, but it is going to be a no holds barred contest tomorrow for Silver and Bronze with six boats within 7 points of each other and more in reach!
USA had a tough day with a 10th and an 8th, but still managed to hold onto 2nd with Canada nipping at their transom by 1 point!
All those days and hours training, so much hope and hard work comes down to one race tomorrow.
Rick, Brad and Hugh, we are rooting for you! You got this!
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Only two out of three races held today, race #9 postponed till tomorrow.
The USA boys took a 7th and a 2nd. Our friends on the Canadian team, skipped by Paul Tingley, have moved into 3rd. Australia extends their 1st place lead to 11 points.
Keep sailing fast, my friends!
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Pictured: Brad Kendell (left) and his team at the 2016 Paralympics opening ceremony.
It’s been a long, challenging race to the Paralympic games but Sonar Team USA 1 has finally made it to Rio! We are beyond proud of Brad and the team!
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With a strong 2nd and two 3rd place finishes, USA Paralympic Sonar team of Rick Doerr, Brad Kendell and Hugh Freund rocket into 2nd place at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Game. This is the kind of consistency that wins medals.
After three days, USA has 18 points, 6 behind first place Australia and 3 ahead of third place New Zealand.
Keep up the great work, gentlemen!
Help us bring the story of adaptive sailing to a bigger audience. Support the movie, Racing to Rio, with your generous, tax deductible donation. Click here to donate.
Racing to Rio is far more than the journey of a few elite athletes striving for world records, gold medals and personal bests. Racing to Rio is the story of transformation from individuals overcoming personal challenges to become world-class sailors and heroes who inspire others to face their challenges and live life to the fullest through the sport of sailing. Racing to Rio is literally about Brad Kendell's journey to the Paralympics in Rio 2016, but also serves on a larger scale as a metaphor for all people who face challenges and how they can take on life to win their own "races" by being the best they can be.