Reboot of Bob Merricks post... focusing on the program!



So... What does a program look like in your country?
Do you need a junior program in Multihulls to get Mixed Multihull Olympic hopefuls?
Will cross training in dinghies, skiffs and multihulls further the goal of getting world class sailors from lots of countries?

What's it take at the individual level (after the talent factor)?
What kind of training do you need to get a start?
What kind of coaching do you need to make it to the top?
Can you do it on your own without national MNA support?
Do you foresee the current US Olympic program working for Mixed Multihull Teams?
One of the skiff builders is marketing their program as supplied with a skiff simulator!... Any chance for a cat simulator?
Can you train effectively on an F18 locally and then transition to a 20 footer.
If the Olympic Cat is locked down... NO development... does that make it possible to jump from one class to another... or from a similar boat to the OLYMPIC BOAT.


What's it take to get more buy in for Mixed Multihull from beyond the 20 rich ISAF countries?
Can you lower costs of campaigning by changing the qualification criteria for the Olympics.. (Now you have to compete in the ISAF grade I EVENTS (Europe) to get your country into the olympics... What if it was reduced to the top 18 countries as determined at the worlds... held 3 months before the games..
Can you get more countries to play by decreasing the need to campaign and qualify in Europe.... ie decrease the need to be a pro in the sport.

Would you give money to an Olympic Team?
Do you support an individual team... or do you support a nationwide program?
Would you purchase boat stuff from a financial supporter of the Mixed Multihull team (s)
Does the fact that USA Olympic controls the money collection and distribution (they take a cut of what you raise) help or hurt Mixed Multihull Sailors.

How would your class support MIXED MULTIHULL OLYMPIC SAILORS.
Would it be valuable to your class if the Olympic sailors and team members were funded to compete in your Class OD nationals?
Wealthy benefactors of the Olympic teams Yacht Clubs have historically supported their Olympic hopefuls. Will multihull sailors step up and be this benefactor when we are spread out over the continent.
Does the fact that Olympic Sailing teams emerge in your country and then last 3 or 4 cycles help or hurt Olympic sailing... (You are not going to kick Bundy or Lovell out unless they break their leg!)

Thoughts, Opinions, Comments…. What kind of program do you see working in the future?

from SA
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=122400

29er Boot Camp, Press Release #1

A week of fast paced, adrenaline pumping sailing with two of the top 29er coaches in the country is what awaits ten, top 29er teams at the first annual, 29er Boot Camp, hosted by the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation. From June 18-June 29, former ISAF Youth World Representatives for the United States, Willie McBride and Oliver Toole, will be cracking the whip for some of the up and coming 29er teams who will be competing at national and international events this summer. "We have local Californians coming, but we also have Skiff Head sailors from New York, and sailors from Florida, so we'll have quite a diverse group," explained McBride. Over the summer, the group will be competing in U.S. Nationals, German Nationals, the North American Championship (Canada), and the European Championship (Switzerland). "We want to provide the best training environment possible here at home to support their goals overseas." McBride added. After spending the last four summers competing across Europe in the 29er, I420, 470 and 49er classes, Toole and McBride are no strangers to preparing for international competitions, and hope to impart some of this experience on the younger sailors.

The most unique aspect of the 2011 29er Boot Camp is that every boat will be equipped with at least 1 on board camera, allowing sailors to critique their own techniques and discuss them under the careful watch of the experienced coaches. "Fast boats, lots of technology - we're gearing this clinic towards the new generation of sailors... The emphasis is really on group discussion - we don't want to tell the kids what they're doing wrong - we want them to tell us, and then discuss why certain techniques work, as a group," said McBride. With recent advances in rugged, waterproof cameras, close up action shots have become increasingly accessible thanks to models like GoPro. McBride, who has been using a GoPro for the last year an a half to supplement on the water coaching says that the ability to review each maneuver is critical both in developing good technique as well as supporting good practice habits; "Every little move is captured on tape, so kids who think that they know everything are forced to confront video evidence that shows otherwise! It really keeps everyone honest, and working hard."

The roster of attendees is quite diverse, ranging from a former Optimist North American and Team Trials champion, to the current 22nd ranked* 29er skipper in the world. "Each team was invited because we believe that they have something to contribute to the dialog; even the less experienced guys have all demonstrated the willingness to actively search out answers in order to improve," said McBride.

So far the clinic has drawn a lot of attention from sponsors. Skiff Head is a new, privately coached 29er group based in New York that provides resources for New England teams to get up to speed in the boats, and along with DinghyGuru, are providing cameras and prizes for the clinic. FoilFeed, Sail Fast Apparel, Wind Alert, and Murrays Marine will all be donating prizes for events throughout the 2 weeks, and FRS Healthy Energy will be providing products to keep the athletes at full performance for both weeks. 2011 29er Boot Camp is still looking for sponsors who can provide prizes or support with cameras. For more information contact Willie McBride at the information provided below.

The lineup for the two weeks is intense, and will keep the sailors working hard from 9-5 every day, but participants will leave the clinic with new skills, knowledge, and training partners. "Ultimately, the most important things that we [as coaches] can teach are techniques for future learning. I think that sailing at the top level is all about keeping your learning curve steep, so hopefully we can give these guys some tools which which they can continue to learn and improve," concluded McBride.

Currently entry is by invitation only.
For details on the clinic, please visit: https://sites.google.../29er-boot-camp.

To donate to the clinic, please e-mail Willie McBride at [email protected]

Please visit our sponsors sites using the links below:
--URL::http://www.skiffhead...if?revision=2--
Skiff Head - http://www.skiffhead.com
FoilFeed - http://www.foilfeed.com/
FRS - http://www.frs.com
DinghyGuru - http://www.dinghyguru.com/
SailFast - http://isailfast.com/
Wind Alert - www.windalert.com
Murrays Marine - www.murrays.com
Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation - http://www.sbysf.org

* Based on 2011 29er Worlds finishing place

Composed by 29er Boot Camp Press Group