The sheer volume of hours it takes to become an elite competitor cannot be understated. Athletes need to be ready to commit the majority of their time during the Olympic cycle to developing their skills on the water. Lucky for me this is my favorite part!

Nothing turns the heat up on a project like an experienced mentor, and this is doubly true for a complex and variable sport like sailboat racing. While being one of the most expensive parts of a campaign, coaching is integral to the development process.

It’s hard to beat a sailor with years of high level competition behind them, that’s why it’s so important to plan and execute a regatta schedule with plenty of international competition.