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Pro Sailing / Coaching
My take on coaching is first to define the goals of the Owner and team. Learn the skill of the team and boat involved. Then by applying wide knowledge base of sailing and yachts, build a plan. This plan is to make sure the basics are healthy first. Next, build on that helping the team to grow together.
All teams are at a different starting point. Boats with large crews might have a crew that has a wide range of abilities. The goal is to bring everyone up to the same level so there is no weak link, just a strong crew with equal goals. From my knowledge of all positions, I would help each member of the crew get better. Show how each member can help others do their job better and make the boat sail around the course faster and smoother.
During my Pro sailing career, I have raced on all sorts of boats, in positions. Raced short inshore raced to round the world races. Most of the work I have done has been as tactician. But I have also won world championships as a skipper/helmsman. During offshore events, besides being one of the speed guys, my main job is to make sure the boat goes the right way. I have done this mostly as a navigator. My tactical back round really helps this. Of course having a good navigation/weather base really helps my tactics in shorter races. I love to make sure the boat is sailed well and like to find opportunities on the race course to help the team win.
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