British Nationals 2011

Ricky Robinson
Coaches regatta summary:

My main aim for this regatta has been aligned with my main aim for coaching in general: promoting sailing in the long-term. More details of this will be given in my technical report which will follow. But it is safe to say that a group of sailors will be returning from a life-changing experience with a huge amount of motivation and enthusiasm to carry on sailing. That would be enough for me to call the exercise a success, but there were a whole lot more positive outcomes too.

Our major learning focus for this regatta was to adapt to big fleet sailing and tidal current conditions. Our training programme in South Africa helped a bit to prepare for the multiple boat situations: We had done a fair amount of team racing which forces extra boat-on-boat interaction with many more starts than in normal weekend sailing. Once in Wales we focused mostly on starting and sailing with other teams rather than just sticking to ourselves and doing pacing. We did this a bit at the expense of testing out the course extensively but I felt that the starting and close-tactical sharpening was more valuable in this case. We also did some really helpful start-line manouvering drills pre-regatta (It should also be said that all the sailors were incredibly co-operative, proffessional and enthusiastic throughout). I did current checking by physical measurements throughout each day and communicated to the sailors before each race. I have documented all the details of the above but have not had the daytime hours to type those each day, so those will also follow ASAP in the technical report, but here is the gist:

There was a very quick and obvious improvement in all sailors pre-start and start techniques. Their general confidence on the start line and in its vicinity also grew. The starting routine was pretty standard: Know current implications on line; check transits; check bias; check acceleration time; find a good position on the line with at least 2 minutes to go; create a gap to leeward and hold up the boats to starboard; command this position until trigger time (required acceleration time) and then go for it. The sailors got a very good grasp of starting technique and I witnessed our guys doing some amazing starts alongside some of the best Oppie sailors in the world. There were a few that did not work out but confident attempts were always made and I think that is the most important bit – this is part of learning afterall.

Two of our sailors got black flags, I was disappointed by this: But only disappointed because, with almost every start under black flag, we did not get more black flags. I encouraged the sailors to try get at least one black flag during the regatta so that they know that they are pushing the line and have a better idea where exactly that line is. (I recall saying the same to Len Heard when he was criticising Rueben’s OCS’s early on in the last junior nationals!) In both cases I praised the black flags for this exact reason, remembering that the learning experience is far more important than the number on the results board at this stage. Recall the “long-term” at start of this report!

Our sailors were mostly on-pace and at times faster than those around them, and I think that tactically they also grew alot during the regatta. They started to see the importance of establishing a lane of clear air on the preferred tack wherever in the fleet you are. More importantly our sailors always fought back valiantly if they found themselves in adverse positions, which points to a very strong mentality in our group - a very positive mentality – and a mentality which, I believe if maintained, will take all these sailors very far in sailing and in life “in the long term”.

Our sailors also were always at the social centre of attention: they made friends with top sailors from USA, Ireland, New-Zealand, Britain, Australia etc. and charmed the parents and coaches of many of the countries along the way. They behaved well and were pleasant throughout - In doing so giving our association and country a good name and helping pave the way for future international goodwill and participation.

This experience was a pleasure for me and a huge amount was gained which will be for the benefit of South African Sailing and the Optimist Class Association.

Yours in Sailing

Ricky Robinson