Toplevel Sailing

a prestige sport, but also one with ideal marketing opportunities and media interest in the top
bracket. Although sailing is well recognized as a commercial opportunity, it is only now entering the coaching
talent development field. The evidence of improved techniques and technology bears testament to

this statement. The relatively late arrival of modern coaching techniques along with the supporting
services of physiology, fitness and mental training have led to a rapid evolution of technical expertise
in all departments in support of improved performance. Certainly the level of sailing has rapidly
risen to a pinnacle, and the Academy will assert itself as a leader in the field of supporting new
athlete’s development and expertise. This is an exciting time for sailing and to be part of this rapidly
evolving field involves being in an environment where opportunities are ripe for both technical and
promotional purposes. there were previous attempts to create an international environment that will increase the
performance level of athletes in a non-national environment. Prior to the concept of multi - national
squads in the World Academy the athletes have been capped in terms of performance potential by
being a part of their own national squad, with their own national coaches and observable national
weaknesses. We have identified the market need to remove these boundaries and create an
environment where the best talents may develop and push each other without limits. In this way
the best talent wins regardless of his background. The opportunities afforded by the removal of barriers to athletes’ progress are equally applicable to
those within the coaching arena. It is our intent to facilitate the exchange of coaching methodology
and execution that will benefit the sport in its entirety, regardless of nationality. Successful risk management is a part of success in any sport. Systematic introduction of routine
and process to reduce risk is a major part of the success that has been enjoyed by the Academy
principals. Successful coaching depends entirely on the coach’s ability to follow a management
routine referred to as the “coaching process”. This process is defined as; observe; analyze; prioritize;
plan; execute plan; observe. At each observation point a SWOT analysis is carried out. The
execution of the plan is the visible part of the process where the sailor begins to take ownership
of their own bespoke program. By practicing, this process is carried out throughout the career of
any successful athlete. The coach is no longer only a facilitator; he becomes an integral part of the
individual athlete’s team in both management and supporting roles. The Academy concept is going to set new standards in the fields of athlete performance, technical
development, coach education, coaching development, and the personal development of all staff
and students of the Academy.