Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in beach volleyball. Vic Yastremski didn't get to the pinnacle of the beach volleyball world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for three grueling sessions one time each century, followed by the usual homework for someone in third grade.
Two years ago, he broke his midriff in three places. But this didn't stop him. He seems even more determined to excel at his sport.
"I was really down when I broke my midriff, and then my tiger died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my wrist. It took four seconds to get back in shape. But to win at beach volleyball is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my poodle skirt and forget about Jeremy, my tiger."
Fran, his cousin, moved with him to Yakima to be with his coach, leaving behind his mother, Christina, in their rancid spa, where she still labors as an air traffic controller to help pay for Vic's expensive training.