An Overview of the North American Speed Sailing Championship Invitational and Q & A with the event’s Winner, Rob Douglas.
By: Maggie Lumkes
Cohen Photography
This October, Martha’s Vineyard was host to thirteen of the world’s fastest sailors. No, not on sailboats, on kiteboards. The Black Dog and Lynch Associates sponsored this year’s North American Speed Sailing Championship Invitational. The two week-long event was held on 3 different courses around Martha’s Vineyard. I have the pleasure of working with the event’s PRO Brock Callen Sr. who would show me the courses and walk me through what it takes to make an event like this happen from the RC perspective.
Here is a short breakdown of how this kind of event works:
Over the two week event, the PRO and Timekeeper meet daily to go over forecasts and game plan for course location. If the wind is less than 20 knots sustained, they generally do not attempt a heat. Each “heat” is an hour long during which each “rider” is allowed to run the 250 meter course as many times as he or she possibly can. At the end of the hour a red flag is raised signaling to the riders that the course is closed. During that time, the course can be adjusted to the breeze, or picked up for the day. The course is either port or starboard, and it is set square, or at a slightly deeper angle off the wind for the riders. Each rider has at least two boards, one for port courses, and one for starboard courses.
The day I was lucky enough to be the safety boat, was the day before Hurricane Sandy hit – so we were able to get 3 heats in the big breeze. A heat only counts when there are two riders with average speeds over 35 knots! This process of running heats continues over the two weeks, to get in as many as possible. This year, 10 heats counted towards the final results.
When it was all said and done, one rider was consistently at the top off the pack. After the event, I got a chance to talk with the winner and current world speed record holder, Rob Douglas, and ask him about what it takes to be a competitive speedsailor. Here is what he had to say:
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Q) Can you describe what kind of training it takes to prepare for a 2 weeklong event, both mentally and physically?
A. The NASSCI happens in October, so I’ve been sailing regularly since April, 3 to 4 days a week and my physical sailing condition is at its annual peak. Mentally, the NASSCI is actually a nice break. We have 2 weeks to compete and this reduces the stress vs. a short event with light winds where anything can happen. The speeds are also usually below 50knots and this is not stressful compared to almost 60 knots in a 10 ft wide trench.
Q) What were some of the strengths you had going into this event over your competition?
A. Equipment! It’s a big advantage for me. Cabrinha kites are powerful, predictable and stable. Mike Zajicek is the best board builder in the world…….my boards are now in their 4th generation of development!
Q) How do you make your final board and kite decision’s going into each heat? Can you talk a little about the different types of boards you have and what they are designed for?
A. Wind speed, wind angle and wind quality usually determine my equipment choices. Sometimes other race factors go into the decision process. i.e. what are the top 5 riders doing and what is the current event standings. I use either a speed board or a slalom board……..speed board in winds over 25kts and slalom board in winds below 25kts.
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Q) How do you stay consistently at the top of your field?
A. Consistent gear development; physical conditioning and time on the water!
Q) What do you want people to know about speed sailing?
A. Speed sailing is the oldest discipline in sailboat racing. Who is the fastest from point A to point B? Whether it be from New York to San Fran……the Grand Banks to Gloucester!
Q) How many events a year do you compete in, and what is next for you?
A. I usually compete in 5 to 6 kitesurfing events per year. The next event: world speed sailing record attempt in France during Nov/Dec 2012
Q) Can you describe the different types of kite boarding competition? Obviously you are very involved in the speed sailing side of things but, now that course racing has been added to the Olympics, is that something you are considering?
Speed, Course, Slalom, Freestyle, Wave and Long distance are the disciplines within kitesurfing. The Olympics is something I am NOT considering. I want to sail and train in windy conditions…..the Olympics is a light wind event.
Q) How did you and your brothers get into kiting, do you push each other to get better, train in the cold, try new equipment, what is it like having your family to train with?
A. Its great having brothers to kite with………I wouldn’t be kiting if it wasn’t for them. Who else is going to catch and land the kite when it’s blowin’ 50kts!!!!! lol
Q) What do you recommend for people who want to get involved in speed sailing?
A. Do it! We need more sailors, more ideas and more innovation within the sport of speedsailing!
Photgrapher Bio
Matthew Cohen is a Newport, Rhode Island based photographer that specializes in the nautical stock, assignment, and fine art for regattas, yacht clubs, associations, major editorials, corporations, and private clients. Matthew takes his Canon professional digital cameras and lenses to the ends of wave breaking bowsprits, tops of massive masts, and even higher in helicopters in order to bring you rare and exquisite photos for years of admiration. When asked what motivates him to rise before the break of dawn in the Caribbean, rip around in chase boats, or even endure frigid temperatures of sailing in the dead of winter, he replies, “It’s all about pushing myself to achieve progressive accomplishments, and loving it.” When in the Rhode Island area, visit his NEW Gallery – 160 Spring Street, Newport, for his award winning fine art and log on to
cohenphotography.com!
http://www.cohenphotography.com
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