Posted by Mark on 1st February 2007

A Learning Experience

Team Eagle spent the better part of January in Miami, Florida practicing and competing in the Rolex Miami OCR.

Upon our arrival in Miami it was evident that some of the boats were not like the others. Before the start of the regatta all but two teams had implemented tilting seats. We unfortunately were part of the minority.

The Rolex Miami OCR clearly demonstrated the performance gain you obtain with tilting seats. You might be asking what is so great about tilting seats? Well, tilting seats let you:

• sail closer to the wind and decrease overall distance traveled.
• sail flatter and faster.
• decrease strain on the body.
• increase visibility of the race course.

During our practice week we experienced further spinnaker problems. A new problem of friction emerged within the launching and retrieval system for the spinnaker.

Towards the end of the practice week we finally discovered the offending equipment and sources of friction. As Maureen would say, the whole system now runs as "smooth as butter!"

A highlight of our trip was the chance to revisit sport psychology. It proved invaluable as the regatta progressed. How does a team compete when they feel doomed without tilting seats?

We know the importance of tilting seats, but we also have to balance time with money.

Shake a Leg Miami was a great venue and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in the city despite the challenges we faced sailing.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, our goal is to win the Paralympic trials in October; every event up to that point is practice and a learning experience.

It's important to learn from our mistakes and cope with the psychological aspect of sailing now, so that we are strong for the trials and beyond.