Hi All,

It was an informative and constructive Saturday at ZVYC, with 16 sailors and lots of parents, coaches and other interested people attending.

Worlds feedback as I read it brings up a few issues that we should learn from and that we should pay attention to:

• Focus and attitude: to break into the top100 we must maintain peak mental fitness and we need to be hungry for doing well, it seems to be that many of our sailors are satisfied by just getting there? This is a coaching and goal setting issue, a whole mindset change might be needed to bring our results onto a new level, I believe we can do better than we "normally" do. It's about how much the SAILORS want it.
• We know the regatta is a mind-blowing experience, in S. America days were too long and things weren't as smooth as we would like them to be - but it's the same for all.
• Do we need to learn from Izivunguvungu sailors, who actually want to make things happen even if they don't have the perfect set-up for every regatta. They travel thousands of kilometres in a hot back of a bakkie, they help each other to get their boats to the events, onto the trailer and off again. They don't have tens of mommies and daddies running around them, they don't have an unlimited account at Central Boating or North Sails. They have the passion and the will and that takes them a long way. My crystal ball tells me that within a few years these guys will dominate the dinghy racing results in RSA.
• Age issue and team dynamics. IODA has now set a minimum age for the Worlds (the sailor must turn 12 during the year of the event). This is a tricky one as kids grow and mature with such different pace. A light weight kid who sails full years in Optimists should not be sent to the Worlds as first international experience in the age of 11. At the same time another child might miss his/her golden moment if held back since the growing process goes on and a year might mean big changes on board... For the team dynamics and the management and coach of the team a more evenly aged team is probably easier to handle. A team that trains together with the Worlds coach as much as possible will generate a stronger and more unite team spirit, which will lift all individuals to reach their personal peaks at the right moment. Despite of being mostly an individual sport, a strong team will mean a lot when we are away from home. The Singaporeans always talk about TEAM and what a team they were - Team racing world champions and all five sailors within top15!
• Coach - Ideally we would like to see a neutral (not a parent) coaching the Worlds team. A youngish) top sailor, who is mature and experienced enough to be the sportive leader of the team. I think they listen better and take more on board from a younger person than one of us old .....? But surely there will be other issues like the commitment level, time input, money needed etc We would ideally send a team manager who can be an assistant coach and knows the kids well, a country rep to sort out the IODA admin. and meetings.
• I think the team would need to spend some time together as a social unit before travelling. Long weekend camps away from home, training clinics, perhaps some other activities including staying away from home for a couple of days. I know, time is limited, but it would be beneficial to work on the dynamics of the team along the way.
• International experience and exposure, we would need to create relationships to other nations and teams, participate in training clinics and/or try to bring them here. The other kids are no superhumans, but they are used to socialize with and sail against the world's top sailors in the same way we do within our clubs and provinces. Yes, always the $$$$$ thing spoiling great plans and ideas! But let's be creative.

The feedback from the water (Pete):

• Hiking, the effort and the technique were a huge issue, the lightweight guys who hike like demons have an advantage on their side, we are generally too lazy and passive on our boats.
• Getting the first row start and maintaining the position for the first couple of minutes into the race are absolutely crucial, we slip too easily back and the fight back is a mountain to climb.
• Communication with the coach - we must get used to communicate, before and after racing, on water and on land. We need the kids to get into the routine of getting and giving feedback, for their own benefit. We must have a dedicated coach boat on the water for all bigger events. How great would it be to have video footage to go through after each day of sailing, it's fun and it works. No illusions and golden memory stories.
• The never give up attitude. The world championship was decided in the last race, on the last beat, in the last tacks. The new title holder came from far behind after a disastrous start to knock off the regatta leader in the last possible moment. If we could get even 50% of Julian Autenrieth's will to win, we would make small miracles on the water!

I think this will soon be called a book rather than an email, I let you go and think about these things, hopefully I will see some response here soon. I feel a bit lonely.

Sail safe and fast!

Eero