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FEATURED REGATTAS: September 18, 2008 Orange County, CA, September 18 – United Airlines delivered precious cargo to Orange County’s John Wayne Airport this afternoon. Over 100 Balboa Yacht Club members, friends and family welcomed home Paralympic Gold Medallist, Nick Scandone; his wife, Mary Kate; his loyal friend and coach, Mike Pinckney and his devoted brother, Vince (Rock).
The elevator door to the baggage claim area opened and Nick Scandone was met with cheers, smiles, banners, balloons, American flags and flashes from lots of cameras. Many of the crowd wore BYC T-shirts emblazoned with the navy and orange Balboa Yacht Club burgee and the saying “Way to Go Nick” on the front and a wire drawing of a SKUD 18 with “Scandone & McKinnon-Tucker, US Olympic Gold Medal across the back.
It’s a long flight from Beijing to San Francisco and a short hop from San Francisco to Orange County and no matter what your health, it takes it toll on you. The exhausted Gold Medal SKUD 18 crew got an energy boost from all of their fans and showed off the Gold and Jade Medal to all.
Scandone and his story were such a hit in Qingdao and Beijing that the award’s decorative ribbon is getting a little tattered. Nick, who has held the Medal up for countless snapshots abroad, was more than happy to show it off on home soil.
Nick is a hero, a champion sailor, a wonderful human being, a devoted husband, an appreciative brother, a great friend, a thankful athlete and a focused team player who has given all of us inspiration. In a weak voice, Nick said, “It’s been a real team effort. I thank everybody for all of their support.”
Welcome home Nick!
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