By new Airwaves writer Julia Brighton As Lake Champlain reaches a full freeze for the first time since 2019, it is not stopping the hardiest of sailors from getting on the water, or, more accurately, the ice. While much of New England is waiting for warmer days and thawed harbors, Vermont sailors of all ages … Read More
US Optimist Team Trials: How to Make the Most of 4 Big Days
The USODA Team Trials: When 4 days determine a year of preparation By Bernat Gali Bou, USNT Coach, Lakewood Yacht Club Head Opti Coach Let’s be honest…when does the Sailing Schedule ever give us a break throughout the year? Really, if a sailor doesn’t want to ever take a break from racing, he/she could be sailing … Read More
Kettlebell Core Workout
Have you ever given kettlebells a try? Kettlebells are an excellent fitness tool to help to improve your sailing performance out on the water. Check out our article Kettlebell Training: New Workout To Add to Your Sailing Fitness Training for more on the benefits of the kettlebell, what not to do, and a beginner kettlebell … Read More
J Sail Profile: Meet an Optimist Sailmaking Gem
“Rags” to Riches: The Story of J Sail J Sail, a Polish sail making company, came from nowhere during the confines of the Cold War to dominate the globally competitive Optimist market. These sails are everywhere in Optimist sailing, and to list their top results in the USA alone would take up pages and pages. … Read More
2019 US Sailing National Sailing Programs Symposium Recap
Last week US Sailing held the National Sailing Programs Symposium in Jacksonville, Florida. Each winter US Sailing hosts a National Sailing Program Symposium or Leadership Symposium. Last winter was the first time I attended which was the Leadership Symposium and had a great time at the event. If you are looking to gain information on … Read More
Winter Training: Give the Sandbag a Try!
Winter is in full gear all across the country. Hopefully, you either live somewhere warm or have been able to sneak away this winter for some warmer sailing. Winter is a great time to take advantage of stepping up your fitness training. A great training tool to build serious strength for sailing is the sandbag. … Read More
2019 ICSA Pre-Season Team Race Rankings Are Here!!
Sailing action is around the corner!! Sail1Design is pleased to present our all-new 2019 ICSA Team Race Rankings, complete with coach-panel comments and analysis. Click no the team’s ranking to see analysis/comments, and the rankings are an average of all of the coaches picks. We hope you enjoy the new, interactive format, and as the … Read More
Guest Commentary: Has One-Design Sailing Out-priced Itself?
Why Those Little Old Boats Matter I recently watched some friends and acquaintances prepare for the J/70 Worlds held in Marblehead last September. I watched as they bought and prepared their boats and was amazed to find that many campaigns had a $1MM plus budgets. The racing was spectacular to watch, but the impact of … Read More
2019 Lightning Youth Boat Grant Program Applications Open!
The International Lightning Class is accepting applications for the 2019 Boat Grant Program! The International Lightning Class will loan three competitive Lightnings to promising young sailors for the 2019 summer sailing season. The grant covers all regatta entry fees, boat insurance, some travel money and we also provide you with a competitive boat, great sails and a … Read More
New for 2019: Check Out The McLaughlin Pro Race Team!!
McLaughlin Boat Works, the premier American builder of the Optimist for over 25 years and proud sponsor of the Opti Sailor of the Year Award, is pleased to announce The McLaughlin Pro Race Team. Our intention is to foster the development of the top talent in the nation and provide the sailors, their families, and … Read More
Start The New Year With a Challenge: 31 Day Full Body Challenge
Hard to believe New Years Day is this week! We hope you have had a great 2018 sailing season! Hopefully, you have been keeping up that sailing training all season long. Now that the off season is here it’s time to put in more strength training hours to help maximize your sailing performance. What better way … Read More
Profiles in Pro Sailing: Coach Alex Zimmermann
Sailing has always been the focus and driving passion for Alex Zimmermann. With a very successful international junior sailing career in many different types of classes, Alex uses his skills and knowledge as a top level coach these days. His dedication and commitment to his sailors is proven by their results, with many podium place … Read More
No Equipment Arm Workout
Traveling to a regatta? Need a quick workout with no equipment? Today I have an arm workout that requires no equipment at all. That’s right no equipment which means you can do it anywhere anytime! Not having to use equipment is perfect for us sailors that are on the go and want to get that … Read More












