Talking sailing at the DYC

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

Olympic gold medalist and 2012 hopeful Tunnicliffe set to speak at Detroit Yacht Club

It’s not every day that a former Olympic medalist stands before you, let alone shakes your hand or signs an autograph.

But Anna Tunnicliffe, who was 21 at the time, vividly remembers the day she was in that exact situation — knees shaking and at a loss for words while meeting 2004 sailing silver medalist Charlie Ogletree.

“Looking back, it’s kind of weird I was that thrilled,” she said. “But at the time, it was one of the coolest things ever.”

Well, that day just may come again — only this time, it’s Tunnicliffe who has the Olympic medal.

Whether there will be any knees shaking in the audience remains to be seen.

Tunnicliffe, who won the gold medal in the Women’s Laser Radial dinghy at the 2008 Olympic Games, will be at the Detroit Yacht Club July 9 for a presentation about her sailing experiences, Olympic successes and life as a junior sailor.

The presentation is open to the public and costs $10 per person.

“Education, safety and fun are what we’re trying to teach through our instructors at the Detroit Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing program,” said Junior Sailing Chair Ron Gmeiner.

“We feel what Anna is currently doing and her accomplishments to date can help us spread the word of what a great experience and adventures can be created through sailing.”

Tunnicliffe, who has been the world’s No. 1-ranked women’s radial sailor for most of the past 16 months, said she is looking forward to the opportunity to talk about her experiences and share her love of the sport.

“I always look forward to events like this,” she said from northern Germany last week, where she is currently training for the 2011 Olympic trials. “I enjoy the energy that the crowd usually brings. I love when people want to hear about what I’ve experienced, and I love sharing those experiences.”

Born and raised in Perrysburg, Ohio, Tunnicliffe currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. She said she got into sailing at a very young age, and while she enjoys the team atmosphere her sport provides, the individual responsibility required is what drives her.

“There’s so much pressure on yourself at all times,” she explained. “If you screw up, there’s nobody else to blame. At the same time, when you succeed, it’s all on you.”

And it’s that success, the gold medal in 2008 to be specific, which garners the most questions when she does presentations like the one at the DYC.

“People always want to know what it’s like to win a gold medal,” she laughed. “They want to know what I felt when I crossed the finish line and was first.”

And the answer?

“Amazing, I guess is the best way to describe it,” she added. “It’s something I dreamed of since I was a little girl. To actually do it on the biggest stage against some of the best competitors in the world, it was just amazing.”

“Like a lot of people, I’m looking forward to hearing of her achievements and adventures when she comes to visit,” Gmeiner said. “We have plenty of room and would like to extend the invitation to anyone, young or old, to come and enjoy this wonderful opportunity.”

Tunnicliffe’s presentation is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in the club’s Fountain Room. To make a reservation, call (313) 824-1200 or visit www.dyc.com.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038.