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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, July 23, 2015 | 22 Pan Am bronze gives sailor Parkhill confidence he can compete with world's best by Herb Garbutt Oakville Beaver Staff Al Parkhill still remembers the sense of amazement his son displayed coming back from his first international regattas. "He would come back and say, `I was right beside so-and-so,' and we would tell him, `You're there because you deserve to be there.' I'm not quite sure when the light went on and he figured that out." If it hadn't happened yet, it has now. Lee Parkhill capped a strong and consistent week by claiming the men's laser sailing bronze medal at the Pan Am Games Saturday. "It means everything," Lee said of earning a medal. "It means that I'm on form and things are going well. It gives me the confidence that I can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world." And Parkhill did that throughout the seven-day competition. In the final standings, the only sailors to finish ahead of him were Juan Maegli Aguero of Guatemala, who was fresh off a fourthplace finish at last week's world championships in Kingston, and two-time Olympic and three-time Pan Am Games champion Robert Scheidt of Brazil. Maegli Aguero took the gold with a final tally of 56 points, Scheidt claimed the silver with 64 and Parkhill was third with 70. American Charlie Buckingham was fourth with 74. Parkhill finished 23rd at the world championships, which wrapped up just four days before the start of the Pan Am Games, and was fourth among the Pan American competitors. But he showed he was intent on improving that standing in Toronto by winning three of the first five races to give him a share of the lead with Maegli Aguero. He remained in a medal position until Thursday when a fifth and two eighth-place finishes allowed Oakville sailor Lee Parkhill won Pan Am Games bronze in the laser class Saturday. | photo by Nikki Wesley -- Oakville Beaver -- @Halton_Photog Buckingham to slip past him. Parkhill regained the bronze-medal position with a fourth and a second on Friday, but held a slim twopoint edge on Buckingham. With points doubled for Saturday's medal race, it essentially turned into a head-to-head matchup for the bronze unless either of them could overtake one of the two leaders in the standings. In the gold-medal race, it was Buckingham who took the early advantage, but Parkhill was able to counter and seized the lead at the first mark. Parkhill slipped back in the second half of the race, but he changed his strategy in order to ensure a podium spot. He positioned himself in a way that whatever wind Buckingham got, he would get shortly after, allowing him to maintain his lead. "I had to beat the American across the finish line to get the bronze medal," he said. "Halfway through the race, my focus switched to that, instead of the gold or silver. I knew that was out of my reach, so I protected third and it worked out." Parkhill crossed the line sixth while Buckingham was seventh. Parkhill said the support he received through the week was "pretty amazing." His parents and wife were on the water each day watching and boats came in from Oakville every day to see his races. He said that gave him an extra push to perform well. And with his medal secured, he got a chance to show his thanks for the fans' support. "It feels incredible to win on home field for sure," he said. "I had a lot of friends and family over there on Sugar Beach. We got the tow by (after the race) and waved the Canadian flag and everyone cheered. That was an amazing feeling. Incredible." Canadian coach Steve Mitchell said Parkhill should have more opportunities to celebrate, given he demonstrated the consistency that is needed to win at the international level. "He had a really solid week and he showed he can win against tough international competition," Mitchell said. "He's in there mixing it up with them, fighting tooth and nail for the gold medal." Parkhill said that's all he can ask of himself. "I think I did a pretty job of keeping pace and holding my own and I had the chance to win the gold medal on the last day, so I'll take it." nbhtech.ca ComputeR RepaiR from $ 99 iphone RepaiR from · Eyebrow, lip, chin $5.00 ini $20 · Half leg $20 · Full leg $40 · Bik · Arms $20 · Underarms $10 No other discount apply. Exp Aug 6 2015 ALS SUMMER WAXING DE each Hair Studio 1 39 $ 1 houR SeRViCe! 3999 2368 Lakeshore Rd. W, Oakville (back entrance) To book an appointment please call 905.257.1647 380 Dundas St. e., unit D10, oakville (@ Trafalgar rd., Canadian Tire Plaza) 905-469-0344 www.hairstudio1.ca