Why we play the game

Luther Carpenter, the most successful coach in the history of US Olympic Sailing, is calling all ILCA sailors to consider a new opportunity in the USA:

Americans are sports fans – there is no denying that! We grew up playing sports, trying to learn the basics, privately honing our skills, watching the pros, and began to build ‘our game’. The interaction with our peers, our parents, teens a generation ahead was exciting, as we gathered new tips, aspired to ‘be like Mike’, and learned to embrace the challenge and a newly found competitive spirit.

For many of us, sailing became a passion and focus, and we quickly learned that sponging up the experience all around us was the fast track. But it wasn’t just about that, for it was fun to interact with older and wiser sailors, as we felt that we were always welcome at the communal table of learning. It’s why I’ve been in this sport for 48 years.

As a teenager, my generation was fortunate to see the dawning of the Laser Class, and it seemed like virtually every sailor in this country jumped into a cockpit. The Laser exemplifies everything about skill, personal perseverance, and community.

Today, the Laser is now called ILCA, and can sometimes be left in the shadows by the foiling whizbangers. But it keeps coming back strong, for we all know ‘real athletes and talent succeed in Lasers’.

This post is timely, as the US Olympic Trials for the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 classes, is a mere eight months away. The Trials regatta will be held out of Miami Yacht Club, with the racing dates of February 17-24, 2024. Each class has a maximum quota of 43 US (only) boats, which is the same size as the Olympic Fleet.

There is a qualification system already in motion for those 43 spots (official document linked below), but bottom line, just three regattas remain to qualify:

June 16-18 – San Diego, CA
July 14-16 – Long Beach, CA
August 11-13 – San Francisco, CA

• US Open Link (links to events listed above): https://www.ussailing.org/olympics/usopen/
• Selection Document: https://www.ussailing.org/olympics/selection/

Who should go to the Olympic Trials? Many of our top ILCA sailors have already qualified from the first two events, and are training hard on the International circuit and domestically in the USA. Those that still haven’t qualified have the three opportunities (above), to claim the remaining 24 spots that are available.

But how about those that think winning the trials is a longshot? Why should they go? For some, maybe they are younger, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is a good target. These youngsters stand to learn a lot by competing in the Trials, and observing the action at the very top of the fleet. A ‘winner take all regatta’ can be a different game, and learning from other’s strategy and experience can pay dividends years later. We don’t get to practice an Olympic Trials format very often.

Consider if you are budding male ILCA 6 sailor, that perhaps the ILCA 7 Trials is an event for you too. If the wind is light, you may get to win a race!

Another community that may be interested in sailing in the Trials are older talented sailors that already know how to win a race or two. Perhaps these are recent ‘retired campaigners’ coming to see what they still have (and what today’s generation has!).

And maybe there are some talented sailors that want to be a part of the community, and provide a solid fleet to test America’s best Laser sailors today. (bring on our best college sailors, the NW Aero fleet, avid and fit 40+ year olds, and more!).

There are a lot of good reasons to qualify and sail in the ILCA Trials. We all could use a fitness motivation, we love a good project to campaign for; but mostly we are Americans who love to compete, be part of something, learn from each other, and be proud that we went head to head with the best.

Consider that you have three qualifying regattas in a row to qualify, and how fun would it be to grab a spot, and see if you can jag a win or a couple of top 3 finishes in the toughest domestic ILCA regatta in 2024. Determination? Hiking up the second beat in 12th place, about to claim a VIP entry ticket to the ILCA US Olympic Trials!

Don’t know about what the Trials would be like? Ask around, there are plenty of us that have sailed in quite a few of them, and look back fondly on (most) days. Hope to see you there!