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31 August 2004 In response to your column on the 2004 Optimist World Championships. This will no doubt not be the last debate on Optimist sailors and world championships. To assume that the results of the SA sailors was "fairly predictable" is however a bold statement particularly as the skills level of the team is not really known to those who have not been actively involved in the Opti scene for the last few years. I associate this statement to a strong wave of the mentality that too many South Africans carry when we see our compatriots participate in international sporting events. Its about time we start to believe in ourselves as participants and that as supporters we give our support to those out there flying our flag, not only when they bring home the gold. I think what needs to be understood is that despite the fact that the 2004 SA Worlds Opti teams results don't appear good on paper, the difference between where they finished and a sub 50 finish in terms on the ability and skills in minimal. In fleets this competitive the race is won and lost in the first 5 minutes and minor speed or height deficits are penalised severely. Do what is necessary to get the sailors to be in good shape in this sector of the race and the rest almost becomes a formality. How do we bridge this gap from our current positions to the sub 50 results. It is imperative that we crit our existing sailing programs and philosophy so that we can expose our weaknesses to establish a more efficient training program. There also needs to be close co-operation between the regional coaches so that we are working toward common goals. This is especially important due to the size of our country limiting common training sessions for national teams. The programmes will also derive maximum benefit from coaches who are committed to the Opti training over a period of years as opposed to short term head coaches. There are definite merits in getting International coaches to train our sailors at local clinics. From what I have seen I believe that we have as good and better coaching personnel right here in this country. We just need to believe it! The one area where we struggle is in big competitive fleet racing. This no coach can teach. The sailors have to experience it for themselves and the only way to do it is to get out there and sail the international regattas. I do not believe it is the regatta pressure that is the cause of most of the sailors lost to sailing after Optimists. This phenomenon has been going on for years and one of the greater causes may well be that the sailing road ahead is not that clearly mapped. Dabbies have been doing a sound job at keeping some of our aged out Opti sailors going but the route of international competition has been non existent for those who wish to compete at that level. Hopefully Laser 4.7 will fill the gap for the single-handed route, however the double handed route still needs some serious action. The battle for this slot is between the 420 and the 29er. In conclusion I truly believe that it is well within our capability to produce an Optimist World Champion.
Regards,
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