The Virgin Islands Olympic Committee announced that Timothy “Tim” C. Pitts has qualified to compete and represent the Virgin Islands at the 2004 ATHENS OLYMPICS as a sailor in the Laser Class.

Tim is the first Virgin Islander to earn a spot in this event and will be the only sailor from the Caribbean in the laser event at the Athens games. Lasers are single-handed boats that are 4 meters long with one sail. Laser sailing requires strength, as well as tactical proficiency.

Pitts is twenty-two years old. He was born and raised on St. Croix, graduated from Good Hope School and is an honor student at the University of Rhode Island. Pitts had his first sailing instruction at the St. Croix Yacht Club and following his graduation from high school, he became head instructor of the summer sailing program. During this past year, Tim opted to take leave of his studies in chemical engineering in order to pursue his dream of going to the Olympics.

To qualify for this challenge, he has competed in international events in Australia, Spain, France, Turkey, California, Florida and New England. His training and devotion to his goal helped him move from a rank of 600+ in the world to 197 in less than a year.
Pitts is now training in Rhode Island with his coach. He will compete again on the West Coast before leaving for Athens to join other V.I. athletes. Pitts still needs to raise additional funds for training, travel expenses and coaching before he leaves for Athens in early August. If you wish to assist Tim achieve his goal of competing at the 2004 ATHENS OLYMPICS at the highest level please call the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee at 340-719-VIOC.

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