RS Racing - On-line coaching for RS800s and other RS Fleets

The RS Association has always placed huge emphasis on coaching and is committed to helping members receive coaching support to improve their enjoyment of their RS class. To this end the RS Association is now very pleased to announce a new and what we believe will be a very valuable service to RS sailors, on-line coaching for RS800s. The RS Association has worked with well known top sailor and professional coach -Steve Irish - former 420 World Champion and current RS800 National Champion. Steve looks at seven key areas of sailing by using both video and photo sequences to give a comprehensive step by step guide to sailing the RS800 well. For tacking, gybing, hoisting, gybe setting, drop, upwind and downwind, Steve has used a 3-in-1 format to pass on top coaching tips. For each of these sections there is video footage of Steve sailing with his regular crew, Martin Gotrel, which can be slowed down if required. For each section Steve gives a photo sequence: for example the drop has a 12-step photo sequence. For each step in each section Steve gives the key points to concentrate on and top tips for what both the helm and crew should be doing at each stage. I am sure you will agree that this will be a vast help to current RS800 sailors and people new to the class. A resource that even the most experienced RS800 sailors will re-visit time and time again. Previously, top RS sailor and Olympic coach Mark Littlejohn had produced the same style coaching resource for the RS website for the RS200 and RS400 classes, and these are available on the website. Steve Irish has already shot the video footage for RS700s, and the on-line coaching for RS700s will go live later this summer. Similar on-line coaching support for other RS classes will be added in 2007. The RS Association has invested heavily in coaching, not only with this on-line coaching, but also with purchase of two digital video cameras with waterproof cases, and funding courses for many RS sailors to become qualified coaches. We could not have invested so heavily to provide our members with such a valuable coaching resource without the continued support of our headline sponsors, Gul International and Fat Face, for which we are very grateful. A real example of sponsor's money being used to support sailors of all levels across the country regardless of whether they race at official events, only at their club, or just enjoy sailing their RS. Such has been the investment in the coaching resource, the online coaching is only available to current members through the RS Association website. Members will be asked to input membership code number on your current membership card. Class Association are often accused of only providing services for sailors that want to go to events. This is clearly not the case with the RS Association and, very simply, why should members subsidize RS owners not willing to pay membership fee for a service that every boat owner wants. Hope you enjoy it - any comments very welcome. Pete Vincent RS Association Chairman