Daniela Moroz: Pressure is a privilege

Daniela Moroz (USA) has dominated the Formula Kite Class since its inception, rarely losing a race enroute to winning six world titles. But when Women’s Kiteboard became an Olympic event for Paris 2024, it was inevitable the level of competition would rise. And it has.

The 2023 European Olympic season began at the Trofeo Princesa Sofía (April 3-8) in Spain, and Moroz finished off the podium – fourth overall – for the first time in her career. While this was a national qualifying event for a lot of her competitors, her focus is further into the year. Here she shares insight into her program:

What are your routines on the water?
Once I head out on the water, I’ll do a normal warm-up routine with some tacks and gybes and other maneuvers. And then I’ll keep an eye on the racing and on the conditions, to make sure I’m still paying attention to what’s happening. And then hopefully my time to race comes up quickly, and I get racing.

How do you handle the pressure?
I like to remember that pressure is a privilege. Pressure means you’re in a really good position in the race, and you’re in a really good position overall. It means that you have something to fight for. So, I think it’s a really good position to be in and I try to turn it into really positive energy to do well.

I also think back to my preparation, and I have a lot of confidence in all of the training and everything I’ve done beforehand to prepare for that regatta and for that race. So, then it comes down to turning the pressure into positive energy and being confident in all of my preparation and knowing that I can perform as best as I can in that moment.

How do you stay focused?
I do a little bit of meditation, mostly in training actually, because it helps me really focus on the things that I’m working on. And it helps me maintain my process mindset.

I listen to music on the beach before racing, especially and even on the water when I’m still trying to get in the zone. I’ll even sing to myself because it helps me focus. But I like to listen to really calm, relaxing music, but that’s also empowering. It helps me focus. It also helps me stay calm and relaxed.

When I’m getting ready for the day, I just try to stay pretty relaxed, so my breathing will stay the same. But once I get on the water and I’m doing my preparation right before the race, then I’ll start breathing a little bit harder. And I know it’s coming. So, I’ll start breathing a little bit harder than when I’m racing.

I’m breathing hard, but I always try to make sure I’m taking some longer deep breaths and staying relaxed. To stay focused I just think about my connection to my kite and my board. Because that helps me stay centered and stay present in the moment. It helps me feel everything a little bit better because everything is happening so fast that you really have to be in tune with your equipment. So, I really just picture a tether between myself and all my equipment, and that helps me stay present and focused.

What is your mantra?
Something that I live by is just: Stay hydrated, stay safe.

Sailing World Cup 2023:
April 3-8 – Trofeo Princesa Sofia – Mallorca, Spain
April 22-29 – Semaine Olympique Française – Hyères, France
May 31-June 4 – Allianz Regatta – Almere, Netherlands
June 17-25 – Kieler Woche – Kiel, Germany

Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing Program:
Men’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 7
Women’s One Person Dinghy – ILCA 6
Mixed Two Person Dinghy – 470
Men’s Skiff – 49er
Women’s Skiff – 49erFx
Men’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Women’s Kiteboard – Formula Kite Class
Men’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Women’s Windsurfing – iQFoil
Mixed Multihull – Nacra 17

Venue: Marseille, France
Dates: July 26-August 11

Details: https://www.paris2024.org/en/the-olympic-games-paris-2024/