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Did you know that nearly 1,300 Race Officers, Judges and Umpires were certified in 2011.

An Inside Look at the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics Training Camp

By Chris Herrera

Last weekend, Bow Down Training and US Sailing held a four-day training camp at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. This camp was held for the 2012 US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics and US Developmental Team. Below are some questions and answers that will help give you a perspective on what our teams do to get better both physically and mentally to prepare for elite international competition, including the Olympics.

What was the purpose of this training camp?

Our training camp has a variety of goals. We focus on fitness levels, both testing and improvement. We also work on developing and improving the athlete’s ability to enhance and develop their mindset and focus in order to keep pushing their limits. Our four-day program is comprised of:

Daily Lift

Why should sailing organizations bother with sponsorships? It generates revenue, relieves expenses, reduces financial risks, raises your visibility, extends and differentiates your brand, builds long-term relationships with outside partners, forces creativity, and has the possibility for bigger and better parties.

St. Mary’s Team Race Recap

By Kelly Stannard

After a total of 96 races Georgetown came out on top for a second weekend in a row, winning a tie-breaker against Boston College at the St. Mary’s Team Race this past weekend. Rounding out the top four was Stanford in third and Hobart in fourth.

A number of volunteers and umpires helped to ensure smooth racing. PRO, Chris Gaffney who will also be running the show later this year at the ICSA/APS Team Race Nationals, led the crew.

Saturday's racing kept competitors and the race committee on their toes with breeze ranging from 5 to 15 knots and plenty of shifts. Sunday proved to be warmer giving way to lighter but more consistent breeze, and great team racing conditions. All ten teams sailed in both FJ’s and 420’s through two round robin’s before breaking into a final four championship round.

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Dave Perry reminds us - only a few boats in each race have the luxury of going wherever they want on the first beat with no concern for keeping their air clear.

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A tip on keeping children interested in the sport by Jessica Moehler - There are ways for parents and coaches to increase the likelihood that both kids will end up continuing in the sport of sailing and goal setting can help. Creating goals that are focused on skill development versus outcome are important at all levels of sport.

Chalk Talk is coming, are you ready?

Chris Love brings back Chalk Talk with new host Jane Macky.  The first episode of chalk talk will air on Thursday March 15th.

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Nick Turney explains the differences between strategy and tactics. Strategy = Gaining information about the race course and competition to gain the advantage. Tactics = Positioning your boat to implement your strategy.

Eckard Intersectional

By: Tony Collins

Congratulations to the Coast Guard Academy for their 1st place finish at the Eckerd Intersectional, hosted by Eckerd College. Fifteen schools raced it out in sunny St. Petersburg, Fla. The venue's reputation was withheld, teams saw lots of breeze, lots of chop, and countless reasons to remember why they compete in the sport. Saturday morning, sailors arrived to a humid, 80-degree waterfront facility. Upon shuttling the competitors and coaches to Eckerd’s floating houseboat, competitors faced a growing southerly breeze direction and a tide motion which made the racecourse extremely choppy. Throughout the day, the wavelength of the chop grew wider and wider, making for some surfable swell. In addition to the 20 knot winds, this choppy water tested the sailors skill and ability to keep their boats moving fast upwind as well as downwind.

Charleston Women’s Intersectional

By: Katy Baker

Every year the Charleston Women’s Intersectional poses challenging conditions. This year is no exception. With strong gusts, a ripping current and the threat of thunderstorms, this event was memorable for everyone involved. However, despite these rather trying conditions, a total of 12 races were sailed.

Photo by Katy Baker.