Formula One-Design Olympics 2012

There has been a lot of heated discussion on starboards forums and in the windsurfing community about the proposed formula one-design for the 2012 Olympics, and I'd like to have a few of my own words about it.

One of the things that I am most interested in is the debate between the RSX sailors and formula sailors that seems to be evolving into a battle. RSX sailors are arguing that taking away the pumping aspect of racing is taking away the Olympic worthiness of the sport because you have to be in optimum physical condition to compete at this sort of 0 mph wind level. Frankly to be modest, this argument is a little self absorbed. I don't blame them for being discouraged because i know they all have worked very hard to reach their physical ability, and i respect them for that. What they have lost site of is; The Olympics is about being COMPETITIVE not being a super human.

Yes, some sports in order to be competitive you need to be in optimum physical shape, but windsurfing is a sailing sport not power lifting, marathon running, or a triathlon. Sailing is about using the wind in a strategic way to work your way around a course and beet your opponents. You don't see World Cup Sailing boats crews pumping their sails to get around a course do you? no.. If the wind is 0 mph you shouldn't be sailing that defeats the purpose. If they want it to be about physical ability invent Stand Up Paddle board racing and go race SUP boards. Lets also not take to much away from formula racing, it is still very physically demanding and your average joe can't just hop on a board go race and not be in any kind of shape. You still need to be in good shape, just not pumping around a race course shape.

Anyone ever heard of the Winter Olympic sport curling? Well if you haven't, it involved sliding a rock across an ice strip and getting it as close to a target as you can, to put it in vague terms. You can't tell me those guys are in optimum physical condition, they can eat doughnuts and do what ever the heck they want. What it does require is a lot of practice, finesse, and a COMPETITIVE drive, that is what competing is about, and that is why curling is in the Olympics. Another couple examples are bowling and archery same kind of idea. RSX racers are basically saying these kind of sports should be thrown out of the Olympics because they do not require being a super human.

I personally have been an athlete my entire life, and up until recently I have been in very good shape. I have been playing sports since I was 4 years old. I started in both football and lacrosse in high school, and I was an NCAA div. 2 lacrosse player (and yes i started in college too). Over the years while playing some of these sports I have learned the biggest toughest guy isn't always the best out there. The best is the person who focuses completely on being the best at what they do by practicing, doing what it takes and having a winning mentality. Physical ability does help you, but it is not everything. It comes down to how bad do you want it? and how hard are you going to work for it? narrowing it down to just how good of shape you are in isn't the answer, and RSX racers should no better than that because they all have worked very hard.

First Formula Sesh

I got my new board yesterday, and i was able to get my first sesh on it today. At first when i got on the water i was shlogging around with some planing here and there. After about a half hour the wind started to pick up, AND DAMN. 22 mph gusts on a formula board with a bagged out 8.5 sail is SCARY, but freaking fun at the same time. I was doing all i could to hold down the sail even going as far upwind into the wind as i could. At the same time, i swear the fin was acting like a bull and trying to buck me off. It took every muscle in my body to hold everything together to keep from exploding on the water. One time the wind got under my board (i think bc i let off the gas a bit) and the whole damn thing took off like an airplane, i almost wiped out but was able to save it. When I wasn't in a gust it was very relaxing and easy planing which is the main reason i wanted to get a formula board, light wind planing. the average while i was out there was 11-15 mph gusting to up to 22

Lessons learned today:
-FORMULA IS FUN
- i need to invest in an adjustable out-haul so when the wind gets crazy like that i can flatten the sail.
-formula can be a work-out, which is what i want
-you can't give the fin an inch or it will take a mile


Heres my proof of the wind, I was out from 12:45-3