Naples 2014-Green Fleet Regatta Report

Naples Cup November 7-8^th 2014

Green Fleet Regatta Debrief- Julia Melon

The venue was quite challenging and exciting for some of our team members. Our green fleet team is used to practicing in light, variable, shifty conditions in the intracoastal filled with vortexes of current intermingling in every channel. In contrast, the beautiful Naples venue offered our sailors a new experience of sailing in big waves on the open gulf.

The Green Fleet sailors who accompanied us for the Naples trek were Stephan Tate, Michael Morley, Bobby Rielly, Kevin Gosselin, Skye Johnson and Co., Lucy Meagher, Isa du Plessis, Jake Burgess, Miles Wolff, Simone Moss and a special guest appearance from Jack Carroll!

On Saturday, we focused on body kinetics sailing through waves. I learned this technique from sailing with world champion sailor Augie Diaz. Augie relates it to salsa dancing with the hips. Basically, you propel the boat with your hips through the wave crest (hips forward) and as a result, you angle your shoulders back. Then, as you ride down the wave, you hips smoothly return back and shoulders forward.

This motion should feel and look natural and will propel the boat through the waves rather than slapping the bow into the waves. Depending on the size and type of waves, the timing and amount of motion from the sailor will be different.

In addition to kinetics (movement in waves) we focused on the other elements of speed. It is critical that the Opti is up to full speed, and when the boat starts to slow down, you make adjustments accordingly. This includes “switching gears” in the light spots easing the sail, weight in.  I tell the sailors to always feel connected with their feet – whether in the boat or hiking. Being connected can help sailors transition in again (“changing gears”) as the breeze dies.

On Sunday the last three races had the windward mark skewed to the right side of the course. I told my sailors to look at the committee boat flag and point directly upwind, and then compare it to the windward mark 20 degrees to the right. It just makes sense to always be working in the direction of the windward mark, or any mark of that matter. It also is good to split away from a pack of boats. There were only a few of my sailors that actually sailed the long tack out right  - in the last race Jack Carroll and Isa ended up 2^nd and 4^th going right. With most green fleet regattas there are gains to be made by identifying the bias of the course and following your own strategy (take a chance!).

     Thank you to all the parents who made our team dinner a success; to our towers: Stacy Moss, Valerie Rozzo, the Tates, Coach Sharon Johnson - and to Phil Riley for grilling on his birthday!

Don’t forget that our third and final fall series racing is on Sunday!!!

Have a great weekend :)