More on Marc Jacobi/How To Donate
June 15, 1999
There are a few dedicated sailors who cruise the Great Salt Lake, but
Utah isn't known as a stronghold for competition sailing.
However, one man who lives in Utah is aiming for the Olympics in the sport
of sailing.
News Specialist Shelley Osterloh caught some wind with Marc Jacobi this
afternoon.
Marc Jocobi lives in Utah-- that is, when he's not living out of his truck,
driving from a sailing regatta in California, to another in Canada or Florida.
Sometimes competition takes him to Australia.
But his goal is to compete in Sydney, in 2000.
"I just thought it would be an exceptional collection of exceptional people.
And to be a part of that, I've always wanted to do it," he says.
His sport is sailing. The vessel a 14 foot laser sailboat. Lightweight,
highly maneuverable, easily tipped over. It is competion that mixes
strategy, strength, and skill.
"Yeah, they say that yacht racing is like playing chess on a board that is
constantly changing beneath you, while you are running a marthon under a
freezing cold shower, while you are tearing up hundred dollars bills," Jacobi
says.
At age 35, Jacoby is one of older Olympic hopefuls, but he believes his
experience will give him a competitive edge.
"And being older and wiser, I'm a lot more level headed. And having the
experience of being at an Olympic trials before.. because I trained for the '96
games, I know what to expect," he says.
Jacobi, who learned to sail as a kid growing up in Hawaii and California,
says there are special challenges being a competitive sailor in Utah.
He must travel to compete in world class competition.... and he says,
attracting sponsors and financial supporters is tough too.
"And people don't even know that sailing is an Olympic sport. It makes it tough
to go to corporations and say 'Hey, I can offer you space on my sail,'" he
says.
But he remains determined. Just months after the Atlanta Games, Jacobi beat
the U.S. Olympic Laser Sailor in another competition.
He is confident that he has good shot at 2000.
