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Yachting Towards 2000

Decision making is an integral component in high performance yachting. The problem is 'How to train for it?'

Now we have an answer.

Small boats, 2.3 metres long, originally designed for people with disabilities, that can be sailed by anyone regardless of skill level, have been developed by Chris Mitchell of Access Boats. The Access 2.3's are uncapsizeable, sailed seated in a deck chair and steered with a joy stick.

The boats have been selected by 'Sailability Australia' as their introductory craft to bring the thrills and pleasures of sailing to those with a broad spectrum of disabilities. There are even optional servo-assisted electric drives available which open up sailing to higher level quadriplegics.

For tactical training at by high performance level, a number of identical Access 2.3's are individually weighted to compensate for the body mass differences of the athletes.

A short, close to shore course is set up with video evaluation and immediate feedback from coaches and sport psychologists on tactics, royals, decision-making etc.

The future of this training is exciting as we now have the ability to develop and practice real, race-oriented situations in a controlled, competitive environment.

Lex Bertrand
VIS Yachting Coaching Co-ordinator

Previously known as Sailing for Everyone
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