Key West Race Week 2010 – Part One
December 17, 2009
Here it comes. It is just four weeks away. 30 sleeps. Key West Race Week 2010.
The boats are on their trailers and we are preparing all the little things. Running all the lists. Checking them twice. And now (for the first time since last March) I am excited about heading down for winter racing. The program is grueling. The coaching is really frustrating and hard. But, I’ve forgotten all of that and I am looking forward to going at it again.
But maybe I haven’t forgotten everything. This year I think I am preparing for my best work, because I have tried to examine how I could improve on the past years. What little things could I do more that will make the events that much better. I’ve got a few new tricks for this year.
For instance I am trying to use visualization guided imagery, mental rehearsal, or mediation in my preparation. I used it as a swimmer in high school (Thanks Coach Dave!). Lots of athletes use it as a means of “intending” an outcome. And I am trying to bring it to my clients. For instance, here is an email I sent them the other day:
Thanks to everyone for sending back notes. It is usually about this time of year that I have completely forgotten how hard Key West is and get really excited about it. Well yesterday, as Willy T (our little yacht) settled onto her trailer with her rig packaged and strapped down, I got absolutely giddy. John, thanks for the offer to help me with the bottom prep. There’s something about strapping on that respirator and getting really dirty that I like.
I realize that this is holiday season, but I want to encourage you to do any and all physical activity you can between now and the event. It can be grueling physically, and while I think I have learned some tricks for keeping the crew together, fatigue is certainly a factor to performance. If if it is a 30 minute walk daily, just find some sort of physical routine. We are four weeks away from the regatta, but I think our team preparation can start right now. Each of us can take on our own commitment to being physically fit. Mentally I think we can start preparing as well. I will send out “thought pieces” over the next few weeks so that we can have a discussion – or at the very least you can begin to know how I think – about situations we are likely to see at KWRW.
For instance:
Visualize that the starting gun has just gone off. It is blowing 16kts, from 005M, seas are about 4 feet and a little confused here on the line. We are in the front row and smack dab in the middle of the line. The left hand side of the course appears to be slightly favored to us, due to likely left hand shift (geographic), and potentially some current advantage (it is running left to right along the beach at a little more than .5 kts). We’ve got a boat to leeward of us about 2 BL’s away. To windward we have three boats. One is right on our hip and likely an even competitor. To windward of them is one of the fastest boats in our fleet and she has a full BL hole between her and the boat between us.
So…how do we need to set the boat up? If you are the helmsman, what do you need to concentrate on? What are your jib telltales doing? If you are the spinnaker trimmer (2nd back from the bow) what should you be concentrating on? What should you be communicating to the team? If you are the bow person (first back from the bow) what should you be concentrating on? What should you be communicating?
—————
I’ve never sailed at KWRW without this EXACT scenario taking place. NEVER. What happens over the course of the next two minutes will roughly determine whether we are top or bottom half of that race. So, I’d like for you to (if you have time) fire back your ideas (just to me please) of what needs to happen based on THIS scenario.
Can’t wait to hear what you all have to say. I really believe that if we visualize over the next month likely scenarios we won’t be caught off guard when we see them in the heat of battle.
I think this will help my clients be better prepared for when we actually get there. If not, it was at least a good excuse to daydream about sailing. But I think it is much more. Have you got an idea of how you would answer my questions? I encourage you to respond by posting a comment here on the blog.
Comments
Got something to say?
About me
I am the owner of Gale Force Sailing and write about all things related to coaching, instruction and team building. contact me>>
Be in the know with the latest adventure, finest dark and stormy and whereabouts of Kristen Berry, owner of Gale Force Sailing. 
Show your true sailing colors today by purchasing Gale Force Sailing's speciality tees, mugs hats and much more.