GGYC Member Rodney Hogebols to Coach US Olympic Sailing Team
January 24, 2008 by Austin Sperry | 0 comments
Preparing for the Olympic trials started with two big training camps in Marina Del Rey. We flew in people from all over the world to train with such as Hans Wallen (Silver medalist), Mark Pickel, Robert Scheidt (World Champion), Dave Perry and Ken Campbell from commanders weather. Basically each team provided specific input to our team "Trinity Racing" in different areas.
Preparing for the Olympic trials started with two big training camps in Marina Del Rey. We flew in people from all over the world to train with such as Hans Wallen (Silver medalist), Mark Pickel, Robert Scheidt (World Champion), Dave Perry and Ken Campbell from commanders weather. Basically each team provided specific input to our team “Trinity Racing” in different areas. Those areas were upwind speed, downwind speed, rules/tactics and weather. The result was that we became stronger in facets of our racing which had been a weakness in the past. These training camps were definitely the reason Trinity Racing won the trials. We had the correct balance of rest, training, development and confidence. Some of the competitors around the boat park had dubbed us the “Manhattan Project” as we had very similar characteristics i.e. the best minds in the sport coming together for a common goal. After some research unknown to them, we discovered that the name of the first atomic bomb tested by the Manhattan Project was named “Trinity”…………is that a coincidence or what?
The trials consisted of 16 races, 2 races per day with a rest day half way through, with one drop (discard). Our strategy for the first half of the regatta was to be conservative but not silly. With only one drop we didn’t want to have any bad races. At the halfway point in the regatta we were going to re-assess the points and make a decision then on how aggressive we needed to be. Well, at the half way point we were 10 points behind in third or fourth place. We were concerned but not fazed in our approach. There were also some fun and games going on. Andy Horton had started the regatta with some bad results and was scrambling to bring boats back to within striking distance. In one incident, he claimed Dane/Sperry (Trinity Racing) tacked too close onto starboard during a race with Horton having to tack shortly afterwards as well (port/starboard). Horton yelled “protest”. As a coach, I saw the incident and there was clearly no foul. We approached them on shore to see what their course of action was going to be. They replied “We don’t know yet”, so there we were, waiting to hear if we were going to go to the protest room or not. The protest time limit was up at 1812hrs. So we waited. Horton’s coach was waiting by the protest secretary’s table. It was 1800hrs and we asked the coach again “Are you protesting?” His reply “You’ll see in 12 minutes!” It became clear they were trying to break our routine and get us uptight. The time limit passed and “James,” Horton’s coach, up and walked away laughing at us. I was furious and wanted to take action but I knew that would add fuel to the fire. I just tried to bite my tongue and cool my jets. It definitely left a bad taste in my mouth. Following this incident boats were reinstated with average points after they were deemed OCS for one of the races. A long story, but the result was that the boats that were over early were reinstated with average points, one of which was Horton. Mark Reynolds ended up having a better average score in that race than he actually finished for the race. This was ridiculous. Boats were going for redress saying coach boat waves cost them places at the finish and they wanted redress. We saw this as desperation and wanted no part of it.
The series came down to the final race, with us 2 points off the lead held by George Szabo, with Mark Mendleblatt not far behind us. We had a great race and actually won it by a nose down the last run to the finish. What a great finish! It was emotional to say the least. Trinity Racing was heading to the Olympics.
The team won the trials as a result of planning, preparation and performance or the three P’s as John Dane III (JD) would say. It was JD’s 7 th attempt at the Olympics and he has finally achieved this goal at the age of 57. It goes without saying that his crew, Austin Sperry, is probably one of the best crews in the world for Stars at the moment. Together there is no reason why these two cannot go all the way and win Gold in China. The team has until August of next year to do even more preparation. Using a similar formula for success, we will be doing a lot of training in Miami over the next 6 months with some time also being spent in China to come to grips the conditions there.
Even though I will be spending a lot of time in Miami, I am still looking forward to doing some racing here on the SF Bay. And who knows, maybe Larry maybe looking for some coaches for the next AC challenge. If you would like to follow the Trinity team you can follow the action on www.danesperry2008.com.
Rodney Hogebols
Golden Gate Yacht Club
