Wow!  The three meter women’s prelims yesterday and especially the semi-finals today were fabulous.  The ladies dove strong in the prelims and the semis were even stronger.  Their respective coaches have them “dialed in” and much excitement was to be had on the sidelines as the team rallied to cheer them on!  The ladies had big smiles on their faces throughout the contest and were certainly enyoying the challenge of the semis.  Sitting great going into the finals tomorrow!!

Go Team USA

Winger

August 13, 2008

Well another barn burner and another very close 4th place result.  You are going to want to watch this one over and over, what a battle!  Our Three Meter Mens synchro team was on fire maintaining medal position to the final dive.  We are proud of them and remain very hopeful for medals in the individual events.

Tomorrow is a day off of competition and will be dedicated to practice or rest depending on the future competiton schedule of the athlete.

After the competition and practice today, Team USA Diving was treated by one of our long time partners to a fine reception at a fancy hotel.  The food was great with some real steak, great salads and some fantastic desserts.  All the families of the athletes and coaching staff were invited and showed up for the shin dig!  I think shin dig might be a Chinese term?  At least it sound like it.  Thanks to the sponsor of this event some qulity time was able to be spent with our families who have come across the big pond to support Team USA.

A highlight of the event was the gifting of the Olympic Ring to Dave Burgering, as Dave is the first of our contingent to return home tomorrow.  It was a tearful event as Dave spoke on behalf of his family, his divers and Team USA.  A most fitting opportunity for Dave as he was a part of the ‘80 Olympic team that boycotted the games that year.  It is really neat to see his autograph as he does his name then USA and then “8008″  Pretty cool to be one of only Three USA Olympic Athletes in our sport to also be a USA Olympic coach in our sport.  Congrats Dave and thanks for serving in so many ways for USA Diving!

We remain focused on our goals!

Go Team USA

Winger

I hope this reaches you all!

Go Team USA

August 11th
Hi all, Mens 10 meter synch, despite doing the second highest scoring dive of the contest 93 points on their final dive a back two and on half with two and one half twists, the young men wound up in the fifth position a mere five points from the bronze medal score.  The contest was a barn burner with many different teams in the bronze and silver medal contention positions throughout the contest.  We will all keep scratching and clawing our way to the podium and team USA remains with its chin up!  Womens 10 meter synchro tomorrow!

August 10th
Hi all, The first two US competitors in the synchronized womens three meter dove quite well today narrowly missing a bronze medal and landing in fourth.  Four points separated this team from the bronze.  The girls although dissapointed realize that they dove well.  Mens 10 meter synchro on the docket for tomorrow. 

August 7th
Hi all, I hope this short note finds you well! 

Update from Beijing.  All goes well here! 

Training has been fabulous with the best training getting done today.  The athletes are dialing in and look great.  Today was the first day back in the water after a 1 and a half day excursion out of the Olympic Village.  One of our partners arranged through USA Diving to take us to a Chinese acrobatic show and then dinner followed by a stay in fine hotel.  The following day included a trip to the Great Wall followed by lunch in an eclectic village resteraunt called the schoolhouse where we also experienced the art of glass blowing, a presentation by several chinese glass blowing artists.  This was followed by a fabulous pizza dinner at a Belgium pub, no alcohol involved, but great pizza.  We stayed another night in the hotel and then returned to the pool and village this morning (Thursday).

The last three days have shown some really good and very close performances, “Barn Burners”.  No medals yet, but Team USA is certainly on the move and will reach the medal stand soon.  The team cheering (all dressed alike and LOUD) section has been fantastic for each event.  A special thanks to team members who are not diving and our trainer Elizabeth for showing up early and getting the primo spot for cheering and watching the contest, right next to the judges!!  Team morale is high and support from all members of the coaching staff and amongst the athletes is fabulous.  As soon as a break goes our way we will be with hardware!!

Thanks to all the fans who have traveled to Beijing to watch and support and thanks to all of you back home who have been glued to web sites and the broadcasts.  Keep praying and supporting, we are working hard to make our entire USA Diving family proud!!!

Winger