The Great American Underdogs

As a recently naturalized Brit (technically I am a Limeo-American), I am deeply conflicted. I absolutely love the Olympics and I am torn between cheering for the country of my birth and the USA, especially when it comes to sailing. As a Brit, you grow up loving the underdog. Lets face it, being an underdog has been a national trait. We cheered for our British athletes with very low expectations. If Fred Bloggs (that's Brit for John Doe), who no one had ever heard of, won the bronze in clay-pigeon shooting, it would be national delirium followed by write-ins for a National Fred Bloggs Day. Fred was assured of a knighthood and a parade. Growing up in Britain in the 70s we watched enviously as Americans competed with Russians for every piece of metal going. America was a medal-winning machine in pretty much every event. It was the Great American $ against the Might of Communism. OK, the USA is still going to win a lot of medals and may only be surpassed by China. Number of competitors counts. When it comes to sailing, it's a different story. Britain is the new medal machine. Historically, the US dominated. No country has won more Olympic medals with 57 total. Of late things haven't been so great. Team USA won two medals in 2004,a gold in the 470 and a silver in the Tornado. Britain won 5, topping the sailing medal table. The US ranked 4th. Expectations for the Brits are huge. The British sailing team is a very professional machine. It is well-funded by the Government, using Lottery money and through sponsorship by Skandia. It is very well-run organization and they are expected to win.  In Britain, the top sailors like Ben Ainsley are well-known athletes. This is a picture of some of the team posing for a magazine shoot. Lets face it, the US Sailing team are underdogs. Most of the 19 US Sailors may hope to be among the medals but there is a much lower expectation on Team USA. But... ...As I write this Zach Railey is in first place in the Finn Class. First place. First place, ahead of Ben Ainslie. The rookie is beating the Finnasaurus, the triple Olympic medalist, the mighty Ben Ainslie. There is a lonnnnnng way to go still and this is exactly how Ainslie has won in the past but this is a moment to cherish. Maybe, just maybe the underdog will bite. Maybe the light airs, fog and fluky conditions will work in Zach and other Americans favor. Go Zach beat the Brit! Did I really say that? PS1: I totally reserve the right to cheer and weep uncontrollably when Britain wins the rest, although the chances of me actually seeing this on US TV are remote. That's a post for another day. PS2: As I write this, the Brits are winning the 49ers and Yngling. Rule Britannia, Britannia rules the waves. Told you I was conflicted.