Revolutionizing preparation for sailing
Published on January 21st, 2025
World Champion and Olympic medalist John Bertrand explains how groundbreaking changes to his training program in the 1970s paved the way for today’s athletes:
I remember the summer of 1976 vividly. I had just won the Laser Class World Championship, but I felt there was another level waiting for me—something I hadn’t yet tapped into. Like most singlehanded sailors, I did my best to stay fit: I jogged occasionally, did some basic calisthenics, and spent hours on the water. However, I had no structured training program beyond typical on-the-boat drills.
That was when I crossed paths again with my high school physical education teacher and good friend, Bill Monti. Bill was one of those rare individuals who saw the big picture in athletic development. Although Bill initially knew little about dinghy racing, he understood the physical demands and mental endurance required for top-level competition. Bill approached me with a concept that would revolutionize my preparation for sailing: cross-training. – Full report