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CAF, PC Athletes Take on the Big Apple' The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), San Diego, California, traded sandy beaches and surfboards for skyscrapers and subway trains, as CAF representatives, athletes, and supporters converged on New York, New York, July 18-21 for three events that included fundraising and inspiration, as well as a healthy dose of competition.

CAF kicked off its New York trip with an inaugural gala fundraising event, a Celebration of Heroes, Hearts, and Hope. The event got off to an explosive start as a massive steam pipe explosion rocked Midtown Manhattan just minutes before and a few blocks away from the world-renowned Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, where the fundraising event was held. Despite the dramatic backdrop, CAF said its Celebration of Heroes, Hearts, and Hope was an "unqualified success."

"Having never done a gala before, we were a little apprehensive going in," said Virginia Tinley, CAF's executive director. "Those apprehensions fell away as soon as the event started. The crowd was fantastic, and I believe we were truly able to educate and inspire them with CAF's positive message and mission."

Master of ceremonies Bob Babbitt entertained the crowd of close to 360 individuals with video clips and anecdotes drawn from his long association with the triathlon world. After recognizing special guests like eight-time Ironman World Champion Paula Newby-Fraser, Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Mike Richter, and Ironman President Ben Fertic, Babbitt turned his focus to CAF star spokespersons Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah, Sarah Reinertsen, David Rozelle, and Rudy Garcia-Tolson. These individuals told the CAF story, described its programs, and showed how even the smallest action, like giving a disabled man in Ghana a bike, can have a major impact. Because of Yeboah's ride around Ghana, people with disabilities in that country now enjoy the same rights as their countrymen, CAF said.

For Reinertsen, a native New Yorker who now resides in Los Angeles, California, the gala and subsequent events were a homecoming. "For CAF to come to New York was emotional and wonderful, and it was a huge success," she said. "It was great to see other CAF athletes and see people honored."

The event's honoree, James M. Benson, founder of World T.E.A.M. Sports, spoke about the importance of inclusion in sports. Father-and-son team Rick and Dick Hoyt received a CAF lifetime achievement award. The Hoyts have inspired millions with their love for competition. Following these presentations, CAF held its Heroes, Heart, and Hope live auction, which was highlighted by intense bidding for the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship slot, donated by Ironman. The slot ultimately went to J.D. Dudek for a cool $40,000. Also during the auction, 20 handcycles were funded at $2,500 apiece and ten running legs at $1,000 each.

All told, the Celebration of Heroes, Heart, and Hope raised more than $450,000 for the athletes supported by CAF.

Multisport Mobility Clinic April Coughlin encourages a mobility clinic participant. Photographs by Alan Perlman. The following day, CAF hosted a multisport mobility clinic, which brought together 22 physically challenged athletes, 15 Accenture volunteers, ten members of the PC National Team, and five elite CAF athletes.

Held at the Equinox Club in New York City and sponsored by Accenture, participants, ranging in age from five to 30 years old, learned from some of the world's most accomplished physically challenged athletes including Paralympic champions and trailblazers like Reinertsen, Rozelle, Carlos Moleda, April Coughlin, Willie Stewart, and many more.

Reinertsen said that mobility clinics are the greatest things she does. "I feel it's part of my responsibility to give back," she said. "But it's so important to give back with action. It's one thing to stand back and be a role model. It's another to teach kids with amputations what to do and how to do it."

Reinertsen and fellow athletes provided demonstrations and then challenged clinic participants to try the techniques, test their abilities, and learn about cycling and competing on a racing chair, as well as proper techniques for handcycling, running, and various strengthening exercises. CAF said that all participants came away with a renewed motivation and energy to continue to strive toward their athletic goals and improve their level of fitness.

"The clinics are growing, and that's exciting," Reinertsen said. "I hope it encourages people to get in the game' and shows them it's possible to live a life without limitations."

Category Winners Handcycle Male: Mackey Tyndall (Panama City, FL) 3:28:10 Female: April Coughlin (New York, NY) 3:21:27

Below Knee Amputee Male: Paul Martin (Natick, MA) 2:15:22 Female: Kelly Bruno (Durham, NC) 2:43:29

Above Knee Amputee Male: Brian O'Sullivan (Pearl River, NY) 2:56:01 Female: Sandra Dukat (Vail, CO) 3:18:25

Below Elbow Amputee Male: Tommy Knapp (Newport Beach, CA) 2:18:54

Above Elbow Amputee Male: Willie Stewart (Redlands, CA) 2:16:02 Female: Suzanne Elbon (Decatur, GA) 3:04:45

Blind Male: Bill Davis (Alta Loma, CA) 2:36:42 Female: Ivonne Mosquera (New York, NY) 2:54:26

Impaired Male: David Kyle (Athens, AL) 2:31:23 Female: Nicole Weitzman (Lynbrook, NY) 3:10:31

Nautica NYC Triathlon and USAT Accenture PC National Championships Sarah Reinertsen shows a clinic participant how to work the treadmill's controls. The Nautica New York City Triathlon and USA Triathlon (USAT) Accenture PC National Championships provided a record-breaking close to CAF's New York events. "With 58 physically challenged athletes competing, it was the largest number of disabled athletes to ever show up at a triathlon," said Lauren Henne, director of marketing for CAF.

The race included 2006 handcycle runner-up April Coughlin and newcomer Byron Breeze, who completed the run portion on a skateboard, as well as a number of past national and world champions. PC athletes Amy Winters and Aaron Scheidies each raced in the Age Group Elite Division.

Among the list of competitors were 12 athletes representing the USAT PC National Team.

Forty-two athletes qualified to compete for Team USA at the ITU PC World Championship in Hamburg, Germany on September 2.

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