In 2011 the team acquired two new members. The addition of Chief Technician Bob Cronin from Candia, New Hampshire has been great asset. Bob, a former inboard racer and current outboarder, is a certified airplane mechanic and former boat builder who bring a wealth of technical expertise and woodcrafting talent to the team, In addition, eighteen year old Johnny Wlodarski, as crew chief,  brings a young, fresh outlook along with a wealth of knowledge supported by his nearly ten year racing career. This was Johnny’s first trip out of the U.S.and he certainly made the most of this experience by making friends from all over the world and by nearly being adopted by the Polish team. He has written an article for Propeller Magazine detailing his experience; this is one of the articles we have submitted this year.  Johnny, along with the 23 year olds, Tony Lombardo and Rachel Warnock incorporates into the program our intense desire to bring young APBA drivers into the U.S. A-Team fold. This aspect is promoted in order to enrich their lives and broaden their cultural views through the exiting UIM / European racing experience.     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

    The race was challenging and exiting for the Americans as the team had to overcome many obstacles including the shipping container being delivered two days late due to Estonian Customs, an engine with a faulty carburetor and one failed pull off the jetty which sent American Pilot Billy Allen to the first turn in last place in heat two. Allen did manage to qualify in a very respectable third place with an eventual overall sixth place finish. The other American, Tony Lombardo, was hampered with engine issues and ended up in fourteenth position out of the 22 qualifiers.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

    In Estonia, as in previous years, competitors and crews were amazed and awestruck to see the American Flag flying in our pit area and were moved with a mixture of disbelief and admiration for us coming so far to compete in this small Estonian town. Because the United States helped to liberate the Estonian Nation from Soviet control, the American Flag received even greater attention from spectators who saluted and cheered our team as they moved by.    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

    The event was streamed live via web cam over the internet. America had more hits on the website and more watch time than any other country which was remarkable since this race was advertised on Estonian national television and news stations.             

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

    At the closing ceremony, the U.S. A-Team was asked to step forward to the stage and be recognized for coming so far and enduring so much pressure to compete in this international event. In an emotional moment the American team, with Johnny Wlodarski as it’s proud flag bearer, was shocked and surprised as the awards tent thundered with a two minute long standing ovation as a show of respect for the effort that the Americans had put forth. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

    Upon their return to The States, team members were heartened to realize an increase of support and interest from our fellow APBA racers. People were very interested, not only in how we placed, but in all of the heat by heat, lap by lap details. The team had been posting results on the different racing web sites but people still wanted more details on the entire experience. The Team Captain and the Executive Administrator have already been approached on more than a few occasions by APBA J-Drivers asking if one day they too, could race in Europe at a World Championship.          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

    In 2011 the team made some advancements to their boat designs which significantly helped to get off the jetty to a better start and also to handle the rougher water of 22 boat six lap heats. We still need to work with propeller design and more testing is needed in order to remain competitive on this, the most competitive level in the world.

                                                                                                                                                                                        

    Moving forward to 2012, the team is planning on holding another fundraiser, raffling off more items and continuing to approach individuals and corporations in order to expand our donation base. The Team will continue to write articles for Propeller Magazine, pursue new avenues of financial support and generally raise the bar of expectations for this program.