September 2011 - Achilles International

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Achilles Kayak Team The Blackburn Challenge, held on July 23rd, is the premier open water event in the Northeast. It is a race of 20+ miles around Cape Ann, to Gloucester in Massachusetts. This, the 25th year of the event, was the first time participating for the Achilles Kayak Team. Dehydration and heat stroke were very much in the mind of the team as we prepared for the race. This July was the hottest on record and we packed plenty of fluids for the expected ocean roasting. We had four tandem teams, all paddling Current Design Unitys. There were 267 vessels ranging from single open Dorys to OC6 outrigger canoes – the biggest field to date. Our race started heading north up the Annesquin River. The boats become more strung out as they hit the open ocean and proceed through Lobster Pot Ally. This is an active 'lobstering' area and the buoys are everywhere. Dan O'Connor and Gary Williams navigated them deftly while Robin Francis and Ricardo Corral were blazing ahead. The other teams were composed of Kam Truhn and John Devine in one boat and Dick Traum and Dave McPherson in another. The half-way mark is twin lighthouses and a narrow gap between a headland and island. At this point the race becomes more strenuous and the effort is plain on the competitors’ faces. The turn to the finish is after a couple of miles of technical paddling toward and along the Gloucester Habor breakwater. Rounding the light at the point is welcome but also starts the long 2 mile haul to the beach. This last stretch is punctuated with navigating large swells from fishing and sightseeing boats, but ultimately ends with calling your number across the line. The pain stops and the back slapping begins. The finishers were as follows: Ricardo Corral and Robin Francis (3 hours, 20 minutes, 55 seconds) John Devine and Kam Truhn (3 hours, 37 minutes, 55 seconds) Dick Traum and Dave McPherson (3 hours, 46 minutes, 25 seconds) Dan O'Connor and Gary Williams (4 hours, 17 minutes, 41 seconds) These were all very respectable times for the event and with this inaugural benchmark, we will be back next year! Go Achilles! Parent-Child Charity Tennis Event Aces Expectations Sunday, September 4th, the summer concluded for many Westhampton tennis players with a charity event organized by 12-year old Casey Turtel, who is entering the 7th grade at Trevor Day School in Manhattan. Casey organized the charity parent-child doubles tennis tournament in partnership with tennis professional and philosopher Happy Bhalla, Director of the Wholistic Tennis Academy, and with help from Casey’s family. The tournament raised just over $3,500 through entrance fees, donations, a silent auction and a lemonade stand. Achilles will receive half of the proceeds, which brings Casey closer to his fundraising goal of purchasing a handcrank wheelchair for a disabled athlete who cannot otherwise afford one. Defying thunderstorm predictions, over 20 teams participated in the event, with another 30 attending as spectators and silent auction bidders. Thank You to the following Westhampton Beach businesses who so generously donated items to the tournament as prizes, auction items, and edible goodies: Waldbaums, O’Suzanna, The Beach Bakery, Silver Spoon, MD Tennis, Wetter or Not, and Sweet Jenni’s Cupcake Shop. The auction donations were procured by Casey and his friend Edgar, who were thrilled that so many businesses responded positively to their “door to door” request for donations. Thanks Happy Bhalla and Le Club for helping to make this event a remarkable success. Thanks most of all to Casey, his mom Fredda, dad Andrew, brother Jake, and sister Micole for their support of Achilles. 10 Winter 2011
National & International Chapter News David Finland had another fine Achilles outing on May 21 at the Run For Freedom 5K along the C&O Canal in Washington D.C. He placed 15th out of 221 runners with a time of 23:47. David also ran very well when he came to New York for Hope & Possibility, finishing with a time of 35:58. Next up is the NYC Marathon, at which David will try his first marathon. His parents and brothers are rooting him on as he trains tirelessly through a brutally hot summer. Long time Achilles athlete Simone Adair completed the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon -- wearing her Achilles shirt! Simone hopes to compete in the New York and LA marathons and will keep racing towards her goals! Achilles Brazil brought 17 athletes to the Track & Field Shopping Center Norte 5k and 10k on June 5, 2011. It was the second time Achilles participated in this race, at which each disabled athlete received R$400 (approx. U.S. $230) to buy gear in the Track & Field shop. However, amidst the always impressive activities conducted by Achilles Brazil, it is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Antonio Maciel, who died in a car accident in Rio de Janeiro on June 9. Maciel, a nurse, had a serious accident that resulted in his legs being amputated. This never dimmed his zest for competing and enjoying life. Maciel was always a joyful presence at the NYC marathon and he will be deeply missed by everyone in his Achilles family. After seeing their planned 2010 trip cancelled because of volcanic eruptions in Iceland, Achilles athletes finally had the terrific time they had been waiting for in Poland where they competed in the Cracovia Marathon. The athletes were especially touched by the hospitality and warm welcome they received. We are especially thankful for the Department For The Affairs of People with Disabilities run by Mr. Dasal and his assistant Mr. Kot, who showed the great effort in providing excellent care during Achilles’ stay. Our deepest gratitude goes to Halina Koralewski for organizing the trip. Top to bottom on opposite page: Ricardo Corral and Robin Francis with their medals; Dick Traum and Dave McPherson celebrate a successful race; pg 11: Clockwise from top center: Mario Mello with Antonio Maciel, a beloved member of Achilles; Halina Koralewski with Mike Fradera; the handcrank field at the Cracovia Marathon. Achilles Heel 11
Page 1 and 2: the ACHILLES HEEL Fall 2011 Achille
Page 3 and 4: of Wounded Veterans cycle dedicatio
Page 5 and 6: WITH HOPE & POSSIBILITY! time racer
Page 7 and 8: er & Tri-Team News Open Division Re
Page 9: FREEDOM TEAM of Wounded Veterans Co

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