Day #1 Post-Race Discussion

Written by: Jens

I asked Brad what he must do differently tomorrow and he said that his starts and upwind legs were okay, it’s the downwind technique that he must improve on.

The problem is that we (Fanshawe Lake sailors from London) sail on a relatively small body of water, which does not produce the ocean waves needed to practice and perfect downwind skills. This is the Laser Worlds. For the majority of sailors here, sailing is their job. That’s all they do. They are here with professional coaches and coach boats, that follow them around on the water like shadows during their practice sessions, and to improve their results, they have on-the-water discussions while waiting for their start about the previous race.

This is not news to us; we see it at almost every out-of-town regatta we go to. Brad heard one of the Canadian National team sailors say that they have been practicing here at St. Margaret’s Bay all summer, with coaches, and coach boats. It’s going to be a tough regatta.