Bermuda Parent Bermuda Parent Spring 2016 | Page 29

Tell us a little about yourself and your family? Tell us your impression of Bermuda?
What’s it like being part of Oracle Team USA? What was the hardest thing to adjust to?
Where did you meet your husband and how long have you
been married? Can you share a favourite family activity?
“I’m from San Diego, Jimmy’s from Australia. ‘Home base’
for us is wherever the team is training. We’ve been here since
April of 2015. We first lived in Somerset but then moved to
be closer to the boys’ school. The boys have adjusted well,
they like it here. There are lots of opportunities for kids, it’s
all very assessable – right at your fingertips. We keep things
low key for the kids, and have a pretty normal family life.”
“We have a great group of team members, and their families,
here. We get together on a regular basis. We do a gym
session a couple of times a week altogether which is great-
the team makes the families and partners feel included.
All of the teams are friendly with one another- we’re like one
big family.”
“It’s a nice change from living in a big city. It was an adjust-
ment – to the pace of a more relaxed lifestyle. It feels health-
ier in a way as it’s less stressful. Life seems simpler. I really en-
joy the feeling of it being one big community here. Bermuda
is a magical place in the middle of the Atlantic. Everyone’s
so friendly and positive. Being surrounded by such natural
beauty on a daily basis – it’s an energizing place.”
“Driving and getting my license was stressful at first! And
learning how to drive slowly... I’m so used to driving 80miles
per hour on freeways in California. Also, grocery shopping
was a challenge in the early days. I’m picky about what I feed
my family, so trying to find everything I needed and which
stores carry what was hard at first. Also - we do miss our fami-
lies but, they’ve been here to visit.”
“We’ve been married for 11 years. We met while working
for the same team in New Zealand, during the 2003 Ameri-
ca’s Cup.” “Going out on our power boat together.”
Did you grow up in the world of sailing? “I’m a Nutritionist and believe that food is medicine. What
we put in our bodies is what we’re going to get out. It’s also
important to get enough sleep, manage stress and do things
you love. Diet is just one piece of the puzzle. We follow a
Paleo diet at home. I believe this helps Jimmy reach his ath-
letic potential. As a family, keeping our bodies in shape and
healthy is a priority- especially for Jimmy who is training all
the time.”
“I sailed as a kid, in the summers at the San Diego Yacht
Club. I sailed Lasers and Opti’s. I also sailed for a year in col-
lege – at U.C. Santa Barbara.”
Do you and your sons sail?
“Yes, with Jimmy. We sail when we’re in Australia on a Hobie
which is a really fun boat to get out on altogether. The boys
have done some sailing camps here in Bermuda and in San
Diego. I like sailing with Jimmy – he’s a good teacher, and the
kids like sailing with him as well as long as it’s not too windy!”
What’s it like being married to the Skipper of Oracle?
Does it affect your family life?
“Being married to a professional athlete is exciting. We’ve
lived in Spain, San Diego, San Francisco, New Zealand and
now here. We get to experience many new places. It’s good
for the boys, it’s always an adventure! Jimmy is busy with the
team preparing for the Cup but, he always manages to fit in
family time.”
What were your thoughts when you heard you’d be moving
to Bermuda?
“I was excited. We’d been here before, before having the
kids, when Jimmy did the Gold Cup Regatta. I remember
having a great time. It was my first time experiencing the
wonderful hospitality of Bermudians. We stayed with a host
family and had a fabulous time.”
Your husband is a full time athlete – does this affect your
diet and lifestyle?
Does your family have a favorite meal?
“Beef stew. The boys like to help cook and are great eaters!”
“Are you doing any volunteer work here in Bermuda?”
“I’ve just started doing volunteer work with SCARS (Sav-
ing Children and Revealing Secrets). They’re doing great
work with their education outreach programs and provid-
ing the community with resources that haven’t previously
been available in Bermuda for victims of sexual abuse. I was
sexually abused as a 5 year old by a male babysitter. I tell my
kids all the time “only you can touch your private parts. If
anyone else ever touches you ALWAYS tell mom or dad no
matter what.” I don’t think I can emphasize this enough- I
say this about once a month, so they really understand the
importance. My hope is for every parent to talk to their kids
on a regular basis, in hopes of preventing this from happen-
ing and to prevent repeat offenses. For me it’s been about
healing and thriving as an individual, and being able to use
my experience as a platform to help others. I’m really moved
by the work SCARS is doing, and feel lucky to be a part of it
while we’re here in Bermuda.
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