From Phil Muller, US Sailing’s Youth Performance Manager:
On the eve of the US Sailing Youth Champs, we wrapped yesterday the final training camp for each of the Youth Worlds Classes (Nacra 15, 29er, 420, ILCA 6, iQ FOiL, and Formula Kite) for our team competing in Lake Garda, Italy just two weeks away. Throughout our campaign towards excellence, there are times when we need to come together as a national group for training and times where we need to continue working alongside each other in our respective areas. US Sailing has expanded our reach to include more athletes, inviting the top performers in each of the Youth World Classes to more training camps. This larger Youth Team is pivotal to developing a deep bench in all classes.
It feels so good to be here in Bristol at HQ. I love this venue for training because it pushes all of us together. We’re living in the dorms, eating in the dining hall, meeting in the boathouse, and playing spikeball in the field at the end of the day. It’s a big country, with geographic constraints, and this year’s Youth Worlds Team is made of 15 athletes from as far and wide as our country spans: Hawaii to Miami. Strong relationships are being forged.
In addition to on water training, this week’s camp featured a guest speaker series each morning. Coaches and athletes filled the Bready Boathouse on Roger Williams campus to listen to speakers like Ocean Race winners Charlie Enright and Mark Towill; Stanford University Head Coach Chris Klevan; Mental Strength coach Brian Swingly (formerly USCG & Stanford University); and Olympic Development Program Manager Rosie Chapman.
The presenters were so generous with their time and storytelling.
Brian Swingly set the tone for the week speaking on the topic of Mental Strength and Performance. “After a bad race, the mistakes you made are in the past. They’re just a memory. Your job is the next race, so focus on that,” Swingly urged the athletes. He also spoke about the power of visualization and the importance of breathwork, which gave the young sailors tools to practice using moving forward.
Chris Klevan spoke about his philosophy on building a strong collegiate sailing program and gave some insight to what high school sophomores, juniors and seniors ought to put their energy into to get into the college of their dreams. “There is a college sailing team for you,” Klevan explained while emphasizing the importance of building a rich team environment. “I want regatta level competition at every practice.”
College sailing and the Olympic pathway are often pitted against one another, but Rosie and I are flipping the script on that. It’s time we merge the strong leadership and resources we have in both collegiate, youth and Olympic class circles. This week represents the first of many steps toward healthy collaboration.
Ocean Race winners Charlie Enright and Mark Towill told harrowing stories of ripped sails and broken rudders while alone in the southern ocean. “Hard work is something you can control,” explained Enright. Towill outlined the winning process of 11th Hour’s four year campaign to win one single race, “humility and curiosity are the most important traits to have.”
As we head into Youth Champs, I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished so far this summer. In early June, the Youth and ODP program collaborated on a Women’s FX Camp in Miami. A week later, in Buzzard’s Bay we followed the NAs with an ILCA 6 camp where we brought together an experienced generation of Olympic class athletes with a cohort of youth sailors.
Charlotte Rose shared her experience with the younger group of ILCA girls and boys in a sailor/coaching role throughout the camp. “The focus was there, and everyone was eager to learn. The sailors came in with such a great attitude every day. I’m excited to see how the Youth [Worlds] Team and U21 Team does this summer,” said Rose.
We put heads down in June and did some great work. Our Youth Worlds coaching staff of Paris Henken, Rosie Chapman, Sophia Reineke and Steve Keen have given so much to this year’s team already, after our week in Bristol, I believe Team USA is in a great spot to enter the worlds with high confidence.