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Sail1Design is pleased to present our youth sailing perspective series “Sailing with Grace”. Grace Lucas, a Sail1Design intern, is a high school senior at Severn School just outside Annapolis, MD, and along with her busy academic schedule, is also a member of the nationally-ranked Severn School Sailing Team. Enjoy!

By Grace Lucas 

When we arrived on Thursday, the weather was dreary, nevertheless, the majority of young sailors attending the clinic were outside preparing their boats for the upcoming days. After an hour of trying to transition our settings from out normal Laser Performance C420 to our new Zim charter, the coaches informed us that we were going to have a tuning clinic. Attempting to escape from the rain, Justin Assad led the group of C420 sailors towards the Mule Barn at Sail Newport. Upon arrival, he guided the group into doing an onshore capsize, trying to fit the C420 into the barn. However, once we safely transitioned the majority of the boat into the building, we realized that there was no possible way that the roof of the building would clear the 20-foot mast of a 420. Reluctantly, we tilted the boat so that it would fit through the doors of the barn, and proceeded with the tuning clinic just as the rain started to clear.

During the tutorial, we reviewed some helpful tricks to remember when rigging or tuning any boat, such as marking practically everything to make adjustments on the water easier. We also learned about sail shape, and how the different controls affect the leeches of each sail.

After the very informative tuning clinic, the sailors went home with their host families. There we enjoyed a meal and acquainted ourselves with the Sertl family, who were very hospitable to four of the Annapolis sailors.

When we woke up Friday morning, it was hard to ignore the raging wind that was blowing outside our window. Our original transportation plan was to take the Sertl’s boat across the bay to the Sail Newport venue, however the weather prohibited this, so we drove. Once there, we did not immediately go out on the water. Instead, we had a lengthy talk about capsizing safety and how to prevent it if possible. “Are you okay?” should always be the first words out of a crew member’s mouth after a capsize, and getting the boat upright and both crew members safely back in the boat is the most important goal, especially in heavy breeze.

Lunch quickly followed this discussion, as we were all eager to get in some heavy wind practice. Once out on the water, the Club 420s sailed around a Windward-Leeward that the coaches had set up. The purpose of this activity was to get acquainted with sailing in a lot of wind and practice judging time management for setting and dousing the spinnaker. The big breeze we were experiencing was short lived, and as the pressure died we split into three groups, with three different sets of coaches.

Whilst in these groups, we participated in basic drills, but with a different set of eyes than normal. We conducted speed tests, practiced throw sets, free flew the spinnaker, and did the last beat drill. However, having such experienced coaches helped us perfect many of our boat handling and tactical skills. Unlike the beginning of the day, the end had absolutely no breeze. We ended up towing back in, and having a debrief, in which we discussed all of the occurrences of the day.

In the debrief, the coaches emphasized the importance of fine tuning in light air versus gross tuning in heavy air and how the angles sailed on the downwind affect your race. In light air, it is pertinent that you sail hotter angles downwind because speed is much more important than direction. They also stressed the necessary awareness of lay lines, and how you should constantly be thinking about how you want to approach the mark.

Shortly following the debriefs, we transitioned into short 15 minute talks, or “power talks.” There were four topics for Friday evening: How to have a good first race, Trapping, Current, and Chop. My skipper and I attended How to have a good first race, which entailed the importance of having a prestart routine, having confidence in your decisions and sticking with them. The coaches also told us that it is okay to take a chance and see the results, even if it is not the most conservative route. We also attended the talk on trapping, in which, very experienced crews taught us some handy tricks, such as, looking over your shoulder to get a view of the course instead of lifting your shoulders up. We also reviewed the importance of gear in relation to the wind conditions and thinking about its weight. These power talks concluded the day after a solid 12 hours of clinic.

Saturday morning, we quickly rigged and hit the water. Again, we were separated into the same groups as the day before. There, we sailed a W-L with a gate, during which our coaches instructed us to use different techniques, such as a throw set or free flying, as we completed the course. This allowed us to hone in our skills, that, often times, are not used. This concluded our morning session, after which we came in to Fort Adams for lunch.

After lunch, all of the Club 420s consolidated into one large group and headed back out onto the water. To finish out our day, we performed multiple practice races and completed the “One Up, All Down” a few times, before heading in for the evening.

Once again, the coaches conducted a debrief to give feedback, both positive and negative. They emphasized many skills that we needed to perfect for sailing with waves, such as being proactive instead of reactive, and always being powered up when going through chop. If every little thing is done well, the results are likely to follow in suit.

After dinner, a man from US Sailing came to talk to the entire clinic about Olympic Pathways. He told us that we were all on the path to the Games, the only major step we needed to take is making the decision to make it our goal.

Just as the night before, the coaches gave power talks. This night the topics were Big Fleet Starts, How to Recover from a Bad Race, How to Use a Compass, and more information on the Olympic Pathway. My skipper and I attended Big Fleet Starts and How to Recover from a Bad Race. We learned that line sights are very important on a big line, as sometimes you are not close to either the pin or the boat, and that the bigger the fleet, the earlier you set up, so that you can ensure a hole for your boat to accelerate in. When needing to recover from a bad race, the most important course of action is realizing it’s happening, and taking a step back and just concentrate on sailing your boat well and going fast. After this, it is important to remember to be conservative, as big risks will drop you down into the back of the fleet. It is also imperative that you do not focus on expectations, but only on executions. These talks, yet again, drew the long and informative day to a close.

Sunday morning, everyone was eager to start the Regatta! Most of the sailors were delayed on hitting the ramp, however my skipper and I quickly raised our main and hit the water. The Race Committee followed us out, and efficiently set the trapezoidal course, and the races came soon to follow. B
efore racing, many of the sailors, using their prestart routine, conducted speed tests, practiced tacks and jibes, all of which prepared them for the upcoming races. By the end of the day, all five classes, which included F-16s, I-420s, C-420s, Laser Radials, and Bytes, had completed four races on either and inner loop or outer loop trapezoid.

After we came in, the boat park was in a frenzy with sailors trying to quickly derig and destep their masts before heading back to the Mule Barn for the final debrief.

The debrief was relatively short, as both coaches and sailors were eager to continue onto awards. However, sailors did contribute all of their thoughts about the day and the racecourse before we joined the other four classes.

            The coaches of each fleet handed out the awards for their respective winners. All of the participants, eager to head home, purposefully grabbed their T-Shirts and headed out to the rock to take the annual picture, which concluded the regatta in a bittersweet fashion.

            This experience was invaluable to me, and to many other sailors, because of the amazing coaches and their extensive knowledge that we were able to acquire throughout the weekend. I hope to keep in touch with many of the people that I met, and hopefully I will see them again in the sailing world.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO, California June 17, 2013 – The door closed on the first phase of the American Youth Sailing Force (The Force) training program this past weekend with the final two days of AC45 training provided by Oracle Team USA (OTUSA). With OTUSA’s withdrawal of support, the team is on its own for next phase of training. The Force will be relying exclusively on the SL33 and a new physical fitness program to prepare themselves for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

In last weekend’s moderate September-like weather, The Force underwent hours of intensive training on the AC45. “This past weekend was once again incredible sailing the 45,” said Force member, Cooper Dressler. “In the breeze, the boat picks up and hauls, akin to a turbocharged engine that purrs like a kitten.” Things can go wrong and he talks about the physicality needed on the boat, “The AC45 is exceptionally dialed-in and a joy to sail in breeze…as long as you are fit enough to pull its strings.”

Fellow teammate Evan Sjostedt knows that timing on every maneuver is crucial, “Hoists and douses must be perfect, since being late on a hoist can make or break a bear away. The team treated every lap like a race, and pushed the timing as much as possible to simulate … when there are nine other AC45’s on the same course.”

The team has moved beyond how to do the maneuvers. Their focus is on how to do them better and faster. Evan continues, “We are learning how to push the boat in a race – constantly refining every maneuver, figuring out all the tiny changes to shave seconds off.” Teammate David Liebenberg adds, “We are trying to iron out the details of all of the maneuvers and how to conserve energy. No one has figured out how to best sail the boats with six people, but we are almost there.”

It was clear by the end of the day on Sunday just how far this team had come since its first encounter with an AC45 last November. They looked sharp and ready to go another round when practice was called for the day.

In this next training phase without OTUSA support, The Force is sailing three days a week on the SL33 catamaran that we’ve chartered for the next two months. It’s the same boat we’ve been alternating with the AC45, but now we’ll be using it to primarily work on two boat tactics with the other US team. The Force is also starting a new physical fitness program now that they won’t have the OTUSA trainers to work with every day. Strength and conditioning is going to be key to muscling these wicked fast catamarans around the course. Take a look at our new video on our exercise program:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1KazLeYdM

The Force is also working hard on raising the money to reach the starting line of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. They are planning fundraisers, engaging in crowd source funding and signing new sponsors. Their next fundraiser is at the Golden Gate Yacht Club on June 21. Cooper is excited about making contact with team supporters and he hopes that, “aside from gaining support for our team, we can raise more excitement among the Bay Area sailing community for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.”

Beyond the ever-important fundraising, The Force is moving ahead with their summer outreach program that includes educational efforts at the Treasure Island Sailing Center and the National Maritime Historic Park’s Hyde St. Pier. Cooper says, “Outreach is highly important to our team, and although we are training and striving to win this competition, we refuse to lose sight of how important it is to pass on the stoke of sailing to younger generations as well as those who don’t have the means to get out on the water themselves.”

Vince Casalaina

vince@americanyouthsailingforce.com

(510) 504-2605

americanyouthsailingforce.com

The American Youth Sailing Force (The Force) is the San Francisco team representing the United States in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.  More than just sailors, this self-managed team comes from all walks of life including having served as riggers, boat-builders and sail-makers. The Force aims to prove that, with steady determination, hard work and passion, anyone can compete on the elite international sailing circuit.  Charting a course to inspire the next generation of young American sailors, The Force conducts community outreach by teaching Bay Area students to embrace science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through the love of sailing.