During the month of July, kids of all ages can visit the Sailing Museum and National Sailing Hall of Fame at 365 Thames Street in Newport and interact with Olympic sailors.
The museum has set up a station where, after kids learn from temporary exhibits about selected members of the current Olympic team, they can write messages and record videos that could include questions they might have for them, what they learned in the museum that day, why they chose to write to that particular athlete, and simply best wishes for fair winds in their training and competitions. Athletes whom museum visitors can interact with are Lara Dallman-Weiss (Mixed 470), Daniela Moroz (Women’s Kite), Hans Henken (49er), and Stephanie Roble (49erFX).
As the America’s Cup approaches, museum-goers will be able to connect with Roble, who will shift from the Olympics to America’s Cup, Sara Stone, and other athletes to be determined.
“We want to give our younger visitors a memorable activity that relates to the two most anticipated sailing competitions this year—the America’s Cup and the Olympics,” says Ashley Householder. “So why not give our racers who are competing far from home some new pen pals!? After long days of training, who wouldn’t want to read some cute messages from kids who might be aspiring to one day follow in their footsteps.”
Since actually mailing letters will take too long, museum staff will scan them and email the scans to the athletes. They will respond to some, scan them and send them back to the museum to mail to the lucky kids. The jackpot: to get a personalized video from an athlete; the kids who asked the best question, gave the best advice, or just overall made an athlete’s day will get a thrilling surprise once the competitions are over.
The Sailing Museum is also planning Olympic Watch parties at the end of July for the athletes’ competitions. Stay tuned for times and details. Olympic coverage will take over one of our televisions and seating will be available for guests to the museum.
Dallman-Weiss was recently featured at the museum in an evening with past, present and future Olympians, who were interviewed by co-president Gary Jobson. Jobson, a sailing Hall of Famer and long-time television commentator who will be covering the Olympics for NBC television, will give a presentation focused on America’s prospects in both the Olympics and the America’s Cup this year, analyzing the strength of the teams against our international rivals.
His presentation will take place at The Sailing Museum on Thursday July 18 at 6:30 PM (doors open at 6:00) located at 365 Thames Street in Newport. Tickets are available at thesailingmuseum.org.
The museum is open every day from 10 am to 5 pm. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for those 65+, $12 for youth, and children 10 and under are free!
