Sailing Team America 2012--A Village for the Best

Sailing Team America 2012—Funding the Best American Olympic Hopefuls

Sailing Team America 2012 is a new foundation formed to support our Olympic hopefuls. Its specific focus is the “twenty-somethings” who have the burning desire to represent their country in the Olympic Games in 2012 and beyond. It recruits and nurtures a development squad of sailors to help them qualify for national sailing teams.

The organization formed out of the United States of America Finn Association (USAFA) this past Miami after silver-medal winner Zach Railey and USAFA president Scott Mason sought candidates for the USAFA’s Finn development program. It was recognized that there needed to be a transition from post-college level sailors into the world of Olympic sailing.

The program expanded to include 49er sailors and 29er sailors in recognition that skiff sailing will be increased in the Olympics.

“Once sailors qualify for the US Sailing Team, they receive training, funding, logistical support and so on,” said Sailing Team America 2012 Executive Director, Charles Heimler, veteran of the Laser, Snipe, and Finn classes. “And in the US, college sailing grooms the best coming out of high school. What we’re doing is building a bridge of financial support, coaching, gear and so on to move our best prospects to the next level.”

“In Miami, we provided a boat for three-time All-American Bryan Lake in his first Finn regatta,” said Heimler. “I’d known him since he was a Snipe sailor. He finished well up in the fleet and improved each day in his very first Finn event. Kids I coached in junior programs program are now young adults racing 49ers, Radials, and 470’s. Getting the “texting” generation into this Olympic quadrennial and the next one takes a village of mentors if we’re going to match and then outwit the Brits.”

“As our athletes sailing this Spring in Europe crystallize their experiences, that knowledge will be transferred to the development squads,” said Heimler. “Then we will leverage those insights at our National and North American championships this summer.”

The organization is now forming a board and obtaining tax-exempt status. More info can be had by contacting charlesheimler@alumni.ucsd.edu.

The Difference at the international level

After sailing for over a month with some of the top Finn sailors, here are the main items I observed. They, along with The Playbook by Canadian Olympic Chris Cook, can help those interested in improving their Finn sailing.

1. These sailors are very disciplined and arrive on time.
2. They emphasize gym programs, even after sailing on the water.
3. They ride bicycles to and fro as their transportation, thus saving on expenses and working it into their training.
4. Very careful about what they eat and drink--oatmeal, fruit, cliff's bars, fruit cups big meal after sailing and vices like coffee and a pastry on Sunday.
5. Open, conversational personalities and are helpful to other sailors.
6. Do things to promote the Finn class and Finn fleets overall
7. Speak English well as their second language (except GBR, of course).
8. Mental endurance and physical stamina. Can concentrate and perform keenly in all wind conditions through the length of a training session and a regatta, especially in the medal race.
9. Are truly having fun, and are appreciative of the nice places they get to sail in.
10. Spend the pre-season lining up sponsorship, kit, and regatta schedule that's locked into place for the whole season and whole quadrennial.
11. Have Coaches and coach boats with debriefings.
12. Arrive at the venue 10 days to 2 weeks before an event to acclimate and train.

--Charles Heimler