Tracy Usher The Secrets of Laser Looks at the Year Ahead Boat Handling © Paul Wyeth © Chuck Lantz

World March 2013 Tracy Usher comments on championships for 2013, Jon Emmett explains how boat handling can help © Beatriz de Sabóia e Lima sail measurement issues and Robert Scheidt’s you win races! return to Laser !

It seems that 2013 is rushing by, and “R”, in turn making it impossible to Well it is no secret that boat speed can slam down as it comes back in contact spring is nearly upon us and it’s time differentiate between “RUS” and “AUS”. win you races: this is why we are always with the water. to start planning for this year’s world To address this issue the Technical and trying to optimise our boat speed for the However we are not always trying to go © Matias Capizzano championship events. I’m happy to Measurement Committee has posted expected conditions of a regatta, but boat fast in a straight line. Sometimes we need report that ALL of the notices of race for to the website a diagram showing what handling can also help you win races. Just to turn corners and we want to do this in Mark rounding using the 2013 events are up on the website at measurers at regattas will and will not think how many tacks and gybes you do the most efficient way as possible. ILCA Class President: Tracy Usher www.laserinternational.org with all taking allow. Look on the “Information” menu at during the course of a regatta and how very little rudder applications for entry. The Laser 4.7 www.laserinternational.org. close the points at the end of a regatta Remember the aim is not to tack or gybe and Standard Under-21 Championships often are! as fast as possible (unless you need to The second issue is the new requirement for rule reasons) or to come out as fast are up first this year, to be sailed in for sailors participating in ISAF events to When we are trying to maximise our speed July in Hungary and applications for as possible (regardless of angle) you are display their national flag on their sail. when we are not planing or surfing then simply trying to maximise your progress these events have already topped 450 This requirement begins at the Trofeo we are concentrating on two things. sailors! At the opposite end of both the towards the next mark of the course. Princess Sophia regatta in Palma and Therefore the speed and angle that you age and date spectrum is the Master extends to the rest of the ISAF World 1. Boat balance: Worlds, this year in Oman and with tack and gybe may vary considerably with Cup series. The ILCA Technical and This means the windward/leeward angle the conditions. applications there already exceeding Measurement Committee will take this the entry quota. In addition, there are of the boat. By constant good use of body So the secrets to boat handling are very up at its next teleconference in March weight and correct trimming of the sail the Radial Women’s Worlds in China in and aims to provide guidelines for future obvious, using the two fundamental September, the Standard Men’s Worlds then we can keep the boat completely flat. principles we use for boat speed: events. Note that this will apply to events This means we do not need to use our in Oman in November, the Radial Youth organized by the ISAF and will not be a Worlds also in Oman in December, etc. rudder (for example pulling it hard towards 1. Boat balance: requirement for sailors attending ILCA us if the boat heels to leeward) to keep AUS or RUS ?? The good news is that it’s still not too World Championship events. © Chuck Lantz late to get in your application for entry! going in a straight line. Now we want the boat to turn. So we simply use the heel of the boat to turn Good trim+ no rudder = speed After a relatively brief vacation to do The reason that this is so important is that There are two sail related measurement something else it’s nice to see that the boat and let the rudder follow along issues that should be quickly noted, one pulling the rudder when the boat heels , so behind, using as little rudder movement seven-time world champion Robert as to keep the boat going in a straight line, affecting all sailors, the other principally Scheidt has returned to the Laser! as possible. When we are going in the affecting those racing in ISAF events. is just making the rudder act as a brake. It direction we want to then we bring the Judging by his recent victory at the slows us down. The first has to do with attaching country Brazilian National Championship he boat flat again to maximise straight line letters to sails. In recent years the use of didn’t collect much rust during his time If you want to prove this to yourself launch speed. “digital 8’s” for sail numbers and country off, particularly impressive given that he the boat and put the foils all the way down So to bear away we heel the boat to codes has become a popular alternative is now many years past qualifying as a and then walk the boat up and down the to the standard font letters and digits. windward and to head up we heel the boat Master! We welcome him back and wish slipway, it is relatively easy. There is very to leeward, simple. As their popularity has increased it has him well as he prepares for the Laser little resistance to moving the boat. Now become obvious that the country code Men’s Worlds in Oman this next fall! push the rudder as hard over one side as We can also use the sail to help us by can become ambiguous if care is not it will go and try walking the boat up and letting the sheet out to help the bear away taken to properly form the letter from As I’m typing this, spring has sprung down the slipway. I think you would be (although you may need to sheet in rapidly the digital 8. For example, when made here in California with sunny skies and amazed at how difficult this is. so it is set correctly for when you complete with a digital 8 it can be impossible a beautiful northwest breeze blowing... the gybe) or by sheeting in to help head up ‘R’ in it’s correct format © Thom Touw to tell the difference between “A” time to go Laser sailing! 2. Boat trim: (although you may need to let the sheet out rapidly if it is really windy, so it is set SCHEIDT RETURNS For maximum boat speed we also need correctly for when you complete the tack). the boat to be flat forward/aft. at If you had two yachts that were identical in 2. Trim: 2012 Olympics TO THE LASER LASER XD design but one boat was bigger than the In light to medium winds we need to Ex-charter boats available in 4.7 or Standard Rig other, then the larger boat would be faster keep the trim forward. Not only does as the maximum boat speed is determined this keep the maximum water line length same as when you were sailing in by waterline length. a straight line (although it is often JON EMMETT LOOKS AT THE MEKA TAULBEE’S HOLISTIC TRACY USHER COMMENTS but by keeping the bow in the water it SECRETS OF BOAT HANDLING APPROACH TO POWER DRINKs ON SAIL NUMBERS So when we are racing we are always emphasizes the curve of the boat, making tempting to move backwards). trying to maximise waterline length for the heeling more effective at turning the The only exception is in absolutely speed which generally means having the boat. survival conditions, then you keep weight around the middle of the boat, However as it gets windy you may like to the weight as far back in the boat although this of course changes with the move backwards in the boat, so the boat as possible to keep the bow well waves. As we need to move our body is sailing on the flat back section. This clear of the water (and in terms of forward and back so as to keep the boat in will slow down the turn in the upper wind boat balance you would also want 60 boats in great condition available late July at the conclusion of the Under-21 Worlds in Hungary. contact with the water rather than “diving” to keep it completely flat)! 2012 model Laser XD includes new rolled sail, new carbon tiller and extension, trolley, board bag & more .. range and downwind will help keep the into waves (which may well give you a boat planing if it was already. As with any skill, practice makes cockpit full of water) or just as bad “flying” permanent! Forwww.laserinternational.org more information & pricing go to over the waves which makes the boat The rule of thumb is to keep the trim the Fleet discounts available. © Matias Capizzano Dealer enquiries welcome. www.laserinternational.org No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers. www.laserinternational.org COPYRIGHT AND LIABILITY The articles and opinions in LaserWorld may not represent the official views of ILCA. The publishers do not accept any liability for their accuracy. Robert Scheidt returns to Power Drinks: The Holistic Approach Laser Sailing © Thom Touw © USSTAG © Beatriz de Sabóia e Lima by Meka Taulbee

© Thom Touw

Conrad Rebholz, winner of the new 200,000 Laser, Meka Taulbee from SailFit shows you how to make an educated explains why you should always listen to your mother! decision when choosing what drink product is right for your RobertInterview by Scheidt Ferdinand Ziegelmayer A minute with .... body! After the 2012 Olympics you Do you have the support of your Have you ever competed against Do you think that your age announced that you plan to family? Tom Slingby in a Laser? and experience will give you Since I am always pushing water on Now we have glucose-fructose syrup campaign the Laser for the 2016 Yes lots! My father was the one that Yes, I sailed against him in 2004 and an advantage over younger sailors over other popular “energy drinks” and citric acid. Glucose is the primary Olympics. Was this an easy got me into this and still follows me 2005 but then he was too young and sailors? I decided look at some of the more source of fuel used by our muscle cells decision? closely. Gintare, as I mentioned, gives had not achieved his best yet. What In some situations experience popular products that I see sailors take and tissues in the body. Sucrose in its No not really, but as the is now lots of support as well. he has done lately is amazing and I can count for a lot, so I hope out on the water with them. It’s not my most common form is table sugar. It can out of the next games it was one of my respect him for that. He’s also a very I’m able to use it in my favour. practice to tell you which product to be broken down into glucose but that is only options to keep sailing an Olympic We see that you recently won the nice and friendly guy. “In The Star - the sheet choose but rather to educate you on giving our bodies an extra step to get Meka Taulbee © Beatriz de Sabóia e Lima class. Brazilian National Championship. Can we expect to see you at what some of the facts are. Then you what it needs most, energy. All of this How does it feel to be competing in Who else are you looking forward to the 2013 Standard Worlds in loads are much bigger” can make a more educated decision sugar is followed by citric acid which is a Why the Laser again? Did you a Laser again? competing against in the Laser? Oman? when choosing what product is right for chemical most often used as a flavoring Robert Scheidt (BRA) consider other classes? I felt good on the boat again. Not I really don’t know all the new faces Yes let’s hope so... I’ll probably your body. or as an acidifier. Natural flavors were I love the concept of sailing on equal 100% yet but the feeling is slowly and that is a good thing I guess, but I also sail Hyeres, Garda, Gatorade, POWERade and Propel most commonly next. While yes, it does Age: 39 boats and to really test the talent of coming back. Most importantly I still know the Laser is a tough class and Medemblik, the Europeans. Fitness Water are among some of the have the word natural in it, marketing Height: 188 cm each sailor. It is also an easy campaign enjoy it! very hard to win a big event. top choices. All of them say that they can be a very scandalous thing. Most in terms of logistics. I did consider Have you taken your son Erik will help you reach your “A” game. With often “natural flavors” are key words for Weight: 82 kg trying the 49er. the exception of Propel, the majority MSG. If it’s so natural why don’t they Since you were last competing, How much did you weigh at the sailing yet? Olympics for the Laser vs. the Star? Yes, in the same family boats that of these drinks advertise themselves just put the actual ingredient in there? how do you find the level of Laser as a Carbohydrate-Electrolyte beverage. Seeing as salt followed these flavors How would it feel to compete in the sailors in ? For the Laser, in 1996 and 2000 I learned to sail 35 years ago. Olympics in your home country of around 80kg and in I was down Propel Fitness Water describes itself as there is more natural flavor than salt. Now in Brazil it is kind of a new Wait sodium citrate came after salt! Isn’t Brazil? to 78. For the Star I weighed 83-84kg. When can we expect to see Erik a lightly flavored water. They all claim beginning for the class. Lots of new to be packed with an array of additional that what these drinks are meant to do. It would be a unique experience to faces and at the Nationals we had win the Laser 4.7 Worlds? compete at home with all the crowd B vitamins, sodium and potassium. B Replace lost salt? How come they are 60 standard rigs, a number that Do you still need to lose weight for We just hope he will enjoy sailing almost at the end of the list? Let’s see and the whole country behind you. the Laser? and experience the sport that we Vitamins are found in milk, cheese, meat, hasn’t been seen in years. Bruno green vegetables and whole grains. In what’s next. Monopotassium phosphate. Fontes is very talented and he’s a I’m now 82kg which I think is a good have done for so many years. © Beatriz de Sabóia e Lima According to Wikipedia “Monopotassium Brightly Colored Energy Drinks With the World Cup in 2014 and the weight to start so I will not throw myself my last article I touched on staying away very experienced sailor. There is from meat and dairy. You can get plenty phosphate (also potassium dihydrogen Olympics in 2016, can you tell that also Matheus Delagnello and Joao into a diet yet. If you raced against your wife phosphate, KDP, or monobasic potassium Brazil is getting more excited for Gintare in a Laser Radial, who Robert back in the Laser at the of B vitamins from leafy green vegetables Hackerott who are younger and Brazilian Nationals and grains. Sodium is simply salt and one phosphate, MKP) -- KH2PO4 -- is a sports? hungry to get to the top. Will you continue to sail the Star? would win? soluble salt which is used as a fertilizer, Yes, definitely a great opportunity for Yes occasionally at local events. Under 12 knots she would beat me. of the more commonly known sources of Potassium is bananas. Electrolytes are a food additive and a fungicide. It is a other sports (besides soccer) to be Over that probably me. But I hope source of phosphorus and potassium.” I seen at a high level. Two big events in Have you been training in the Most people would say that the Star we never have to do that.... To read the interview with easily replaced with coconut water. © Beatriz de Sabóia e Lima Laser? think I’d rather get my potassium through just 2 years time will be great for our is a more tactical boat and the Laser Gintare Scheidt see the June 2012 During practice for a big regatta a few a banana. Anything that can be used as country. I hope it will inspire a lot of Not really as much training as I used is a more physical boat. Is this true? What is your favourite place to sail? edition of LaserWorld at years back I watched a sailor place a fertilzer is not what I am looking for in Success at the young people to do sports. to do. I did some sessions in Lake I disagree. The Star has changed a Why? www.laserinternational.org/info/laserworld bottle of one of these drinks on a picnic an athletic drink. It looks like they have Brazilian Nationals 2013 Garda (Italy) last fall and now in Brazil lot in the last years - the guys are very Ilha Bela in Brasil - it’s a beautiful table before he went out. When he came I’m doing some events. saved the best for last. Yellow 6, blue Do you have sponsors? fit and the skippers hike a lot, but of place with a nice sea breeze and hot back a few hours later the red drink he 1 or red 40 (depending on the color of Yes, I have a long-term relationship course they are different boats and the all year! placed there was now clear in color. your drink) ester gum and brominated with Banco do Brasil, who have way you have to sail them is different. Is the training different than for the © Thom Touw Personally I vowed to never put that stuff vegetable oil. Brominated vegetable oil? supported me for more Star? The Laser is more dynamic I would Top three things in my body because the reaction it had Do you really want to drink that? than 10 years. I also say. you would to the sun just wasn’t natural, but I did Yes, very different in the Star - the Drinks like these do have their place for have GOCIL, a security sheet loads are much bigger so we take to investigate what was in there that made company, Rolex and Are there things you have learned in a desert it do that. some athletes and some sports. I don’t focused more on strength training and mean to completely knock them, but for Prada. not so much aerobic work. the Star that will make you a better island? Why not try water instead? Laser sailor? My family, I can’t place enough emphasis on reading sailing I don’t believe these are what is Your wife Gintare is an I think my tactics are better now. In the some food labels and being educated on how to do best for the sailor. I don’t feel that one Do you have any special goals with so. When looking at the ingredients the generic drink can help every athlete excellent Laser Radial sailing that you have not achieved? Star you have to think more before you and a nice sailor and an Olympian. tack or jibe because a wrong one costs bottle of red ones that are listed first are the most from every sport refuel and stay at peak When choosing your on-the-water Not really, I have had ups and downs abundant and the ones that are listed levels. Each individual is different and cocktail keep in mind the reason you are How does she feel like every athlete but with 5 Olympic you a lot - it’s much harder to recover wine! about your decision for after mistakes or a bad start. You last are the least abundant. When taking each individual should have a drink that choosing it. Look at the ingredients and medals and 12 Worlds titles (Laser a look at what is in these sports drinks is tailored to them and what makes their see if it will help you achieve your goal. another Olympics? and Star) I can’t complain. I just want also have to organize your equipment Who is the She supports me a lot, better, learn about sails and hull most influential this is what I found. The first ingredient body perform the best. There are many If you can’t pronounce the ingredient to keep sailing at a high level and is water. The human body is made up products out there that you can add to chances are you probably don’t need it! which is crucial, otherwise hopefully do one more Olympics. shapes and deal with a crew. person in your I would not do it again. life? of between 60-70% water so it makes your water to help you recover faster, If you are really partial to one of these With the kids, priorities sense to replace lost water with more stay energized and stay smarter on the drinks try diluting it, half and half, with What motivates you to keep How does it feel to be old enough My father who © Thom Touw change and family water. Next is high fructose corn syrup race course. I know that going through all water. Better yet try mixing all natural competing in sailing? for Laser Masters regattas? has always guided becomes the number one It’s fun! Even more fun is the fact that I me through all the or sucrose syrup (simple sugars). Since the information and products can seem fruit juice with water. Most importantly The Star -“much harder to goal! It is the thing I like most in my life ingredients are listed from the most a bit overwhelming and time consuming, stay hydrated. It will lead to less injury besides my family. can still sail against the young ones... tough decisions in Robert says he will continue to sail life. abundant to the least that would make but that’s what I’m here for. Ask away and better decisions on the racecourse. recover after mistakes” the Star occasionally at local events sugar the second runner up to water. and I’ll help you out. Therefore better results!

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