I sent the following e-mail today to Jim Tichenor, the head of the Site Selection Committee and Dean Brenner, the Charman of the US Sailing Olympic Sailing Committee. It was one of the hardest letters I have ever had to write, but in the scheme of things it pales in significance to what many people have gone through and what they continue to go through.

I promissed to keep everyone informed so the letter speaks for itself. I cannot emphasize enough the thanks I have for the members of the committe for all their hard work and to the sailing community for their heartfelt and enthusiastic support. Don't worry - we'll be back.

Jim & Dean,
It is with deep regret that I must withdraw the bid of Gulf Coast Olympic Sailing to host the Olympic Trials. The devastation to Gulf Coast sailors, their homes, their boats and their yacht clubs is beyond description. The good news is that, as far as I know, everyone in the sailing community and their families are safe. Our focus for the next two years, after our families, our homes and our jobs, must be on rebuilding the sailing community and we will not have the ability to focus the way we should on preparing for a proper Olympic Trials.

Barbara has indicated that St Petersburg and surrounding clubs may have the ability to pick up our slack, but to be honest I haven't had time to speak with her about the details (I apologize Barbara). I'll let her communicate directly with you.

We are down but not out. With new facilities across the board, I am confident that we can and will rebid for the 2012 trials with the same enthusiasm as we had for this bid. With that in mind, I would be very interested in an honest and frank discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of our bid so that we can be better prepared when we make our next bid. Once we can all come up for air, I'll let you know.

Thanks to all the members of my committees who worked so hard to put together what I had hoped and expected to be a winning bid. Hosting the Trials in 2012 could go a long way toward rebuilding sailing on the Coast, giving sailors in the region a bright spot on the horizon.

Please note that I am relocated and working in Houston for the foreseeable future, my new contact informationo is below. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Best of luck with your selection process and I look forward to hearing your decision.

Guy Brierre, Chairman
Gulf Coast Olympic Sailing