Coaching MOST Opti Racing Team

Lake Michigan -- took four of the regions best young sailors out for the day. Was hired to private coach for the Midwest Opti Sailing Team, a successful youth racing program that takes the cream of the crop on a year 'round tour of the best racing in the country and world.



I was excited to work with these guys but was greeted poorly by the fickle fall winds off Lake Forest Sailing Center. We set out under questionable breezes from 1 to 3 mph, and tried to get some work done. It was to be a shakedown sail and most of my drills included "situation boathandling" skills. After nearly 4 hours on the water we decided to head for shore. Of course the wind built and steadied to about 5 mph as we were completing practice.




Great group of kids and I really enjoyed getting to know them. A few of them (they're all under 13) have big aspirations of being national and global contenders as sailors.

LESSONS LEARNED: as always, keep it simple, don't try to get fancy bc it makes you less flexible.

Photo's included.

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