“How to Win Regattas. Word of Valentin Mankin
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1993. One year after the Barcelona Olympics, Valentin Mankin (1938-2014), technical director of the Italian team, explains to the Journal of Sailing (No. 5, June 1993) his philosophy, his way of understanding sailing and preparing to win races.
Golden words, coming from the man who was one of the greatest sailors in history, capable of winning three Olympic golds in as many classes (Finn in 1968, Tempest in 1972 and Star in 1980) and one silver (again with the Tempest in 1976). In the 1990s he led the athletes of the Italian national sailing team.
How to win regattas
“From the very beginning of my business, when I was 15 years old, I did not put speed first. At the first international regattas, I said to myself. “How can I be faster than the Americans who have industries and research behind them? OK Valentin, speed is the second thing!”
In order to be fast, without needing money, the only way I could go was to make the best turns in the world, the best gybes, to understand the wind better. All the things that don’t cost money.
All very simple things. In the boat you have three opponents: the wind, the wave, the current. Try to wrestle with these opponents-you can confront them on your own.
Then there are the other competitors, and each time it is a different story. And that’s the fantasy. But if you are prepared, if you are calm, there is no effort in writing this story….
The good places on the race course are always crowded; only if you do something better can you get out of the pack. No one gives you anything; you don’t improvise in the boat.”
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