by Pam
The
Laser Master Worlds in Oman are rapidly approaching and I was convinced that
Doug will not be ready. I was yapping at him and ran through my laundry list of
how he’s regularly getting beat by locals, he hasn’t been exercising or doing
much sailing, he’s been neglecting a possible injury and how it seemed to me
that the trip to Oman was more about seeing old friends than a serious attempt
to do well (not that seeing old friends isn't a good enough reason to go).
In
our household, sailing has priority and honey do's come later and there just aren’t
many good reasons not to go sailing. The sad truth, though, is that I’ve been focused
on a new job and have had little time for sailing this year and Doug has been politely down
playing his sailing so that I wouldn’t feel so bad. However, since I’m not doing
as much sailing, I need to live vicariously through him and he should have been
playing it up so the reality of not getting on the water wouldn’t nag at me so
much.
So,
as I was making my very insightful and profound points about how he’s just not
putting forth the effort this year, out come his charts about how much sailing
and exercising he’s been doing and how he’s on track. To reassure me, I asked him to chart all of his past and
present numbers and how he did. He didn't always keep track of everything but here's what he has. What do you think? Is he ready?
World's Year | World's Venue | World's Finish | Wind Conditions | Sailing Days | Sailing Hours | Days of Hiking Bench | Days of Cardio | Days of Strength Training |
2013 | Oman | 32* | 93* | 32* | 44* | 10* | ||
2012 | Brisbane | 4 | Medium | 31 | 100 | 21 | unknown | unknown |
2010 | Halifax | 6 | Windy | 46 | 136 | 66 | 68 | 20 |
2008 | Sydney | 12 | Medium | 20 | 36 | 60 | 51 | 12 |
2007 | Spain | 9 | Medium | 69 | 158 | 91 | 158 | unknown |
2006 | Korea | 1 | Light then Windy | 52 | 134 | 78 | 155 | 15 |
2001 | Ireland | 8 | Medium | 47 | 128 | 94 | 110 | 50 |
2000 | Cancun | 3 | Medium | 33 | 64 | 67 | 56 | 35 |
1999 | Melbourne | 3 | Honking | 26 | 68 | 33 | 39 | 21 |
1998 | The Gorge | 2 | Honking | 53 | 129 | 85 | 63 | 34 |
* Still in process
There doesn't seem to be a lot of correlation between any of those parameters and Doug's results. Above a certain minimum amount of fitness training and time on the water, it seems that Doug always has a very good shot at a top 10 finish and a good chance of making the top 5.
ReplyDeleteQuality of training is also surely an issues. I track number of days I have sailed etc. but I know that those days are not equal. Hard, concentrate, focused practice on a few key skills is not the same as sailing around for a couple of hours having fun.
I think he's ready.
Good luck!
I think you're right. I couldn't see anything in the numbers that would predict how he'll do. I believe the biggest factor this year will be getting to Oman early and getting comfortable in the boat and in the conditions. And, as usual, I think he'll find some very talented training partners on location that will bring his performance up.
DeleteHow can I please ask:
ReplyDeleteOver what period is this data. Year prior to championship, 6 months or some other period
How long on the hiking bench each day?
Everyone needs to give him some space. He will do just fine. This is for enjoyment right?
ReplyDelete