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.
Race hard, sail fast. You are our champions.
Todd Gould
Producer
Racing to Rio
Congratulations to Sonar Team USA 1 on another hard-earned victory! Team USA 1 took first place at the Helly Hansen St. Petersburg NOOD (National Offshore One-Design) Regatta 2016 last Saturday.
The crew of Racing To Rio was excited to catch the team on film. Competition was strong and the team had to race able-bodied and disabled sailors alike, but triumphed in the end. Perseverance, passion, and a love for the water definitely shined through.
The Barbaro-Gould Foundation and its crew are thrilled for Team USA 1 and wish them the best of luck on their journey to Rio 2016!
As always, your donations help us bring this story to life!
The crew of Racing To Rio will film Team USA 1’s last training session before they set sail for the country qualifiers at the IFDS Para Worlds Sailing Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
Training alongside Team USA 1 is the Canadian Paralympic Sonar Team, whose members have been welcomed by the Clearwater area with open arms. Both teams are working with coach Mike Ingham with a common goal in mind: Racing to Rio 2016.
We look forward to capturing the high spirits of all involved as the Canadian Paralympic Sonar Team exchanges creativity, sporstsmanship, and most of all, passion, with Team USA 1.
The Canadian Paralympic Sonar Team is comprised of Paul Tingley, Logan Campbell, and Scott Lutes. Team USA 1 is made of Brad Kendell, Rick Doerr, and Hugh Freund.
Please show your support for these teams, Paralympic Sailing and Racing to Rio:
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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.
