Got trouble holding your tongue?

Paul Brotherton has some practical advice

Thursday January 1st 2004, Author: Paul Brotherton, Location: United Kingdom
Q: I sail a 420 with my mate. We’re pretty good, and finished top ten at the Nationals. But we either do really well or really badly. The problem is that if we start badly we tend to argue and give up. I believe we can win the Youth Champs, but I’m afraid of a bad start to the regatta ruining any chance we might have.

A: This is a hugely common problem in any two-person boat. Without being too dismissive, it’s as simple as this: Learn to try as hard when you’re at the back of the fleet as when you are at the front.... or stop believing you can win anything worthwhile!

The standard and depth of ability at the top national and international regattas means it’s impossible for anyone to arrive at the windward mark first every race. So the winners of the regattas are the ones who maintain focus and ignore the distractions, such as their current poor position or a mistake made earlier in the race.

Toughness is a very important quality. Toughness to take the knocks. The sort of toughness that allows you to keep looking for attacking options when you have just lost 20 places going round a crowded leeward mark. Not the toughness that gets you stamping your feet or yelling at your team mate.

Winners of regattas, in my experience, are defined by their ability to dig deep when the chips are down and maintain one hundred percent concentration throughout. Sailors who can only sail well when they are winning will only ever win in undemanding classes or regattas. The 420 is very demanding and there are no easy championships.

Try some of the following practical solutions.

1. Before going to your next open meeting arrange a get-together with your team mate. Get him to agree that you sail worse when you argue and that it is important to maintain focus no matter what the situation. Then suggest having the phrase, "let’s get focused" (or similar) as a way of getting back into the right mental state when, and if, distractions (like arguing) start to erode your positive racing performance. Perhaps you could reinforce this by suggesting that your one and only goal is to stay positive for all the races of that event.

2. Try rehearsing in your mind a stressful situation ( my favourite is arriving at the windward mark in the first few boats and then having a shocking spinnaker hoist that puts you down to mid-fleet - oh, the pain!) Now clearly and repeatedly go through the following thought process:

· Consolidate
· Where is the next mark
· Trim for maximum speed
· Say to yourself, "the race starts now"
· Say out-loud, "let’s get focused and pass these b*&%£&s!"

By having this clear, established thought pattern you are trying to ensure that you are sailing in the right direction, quickly, and have a motivated team-mate who wants to work to help you both recover.

The alternative is to scream and shout, then gybe off without thinking to try and grab the places back immediately. After the red mist has passed you are often left sailing in the wrong direction losing even more places - with a team-mate who would rather die than say, "come on let’s keep trying."

The aim is to buy yourself some time and prevent the knee jerk reaction. Remember, anyone can shout - but only a few are tough enough to take the pressure and win - which do you want to be?

P.S. If you do manage to perfect the skill and stay calm - can you come and help me!

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