576 Days until the 2010 Laser Masters Worlds

Every year, the world's greatest sailboat regatta is held at a different location. The race attracts over 400 sailors ranging in age from 35 to over 65. Some of the fastest sailors in the world participate. Though it is a World Championship Regatta, for many of the entrants it is a vacation, a chance to sail somewhere new, an opportunity to meet up with old friends from around the world and have fun by totally crushing them in the races. The regatta is known as the Laser Masters World Championship, a.k.a. The Fun Worlds, to differentiate it from those boring regattas for the much-too-serious Laser sailors under 35 who are not allowed to enter the Masters. In 2010 the Laser Masters World Championship will be held at Hayling Island in the UK from 13th to 19th September.

It seems a little early to be preparing for a race that starts on September 13, 2010 but it isn't an easy regatta to get ready for. First of all you have to meet the stringent Masters Worlds qualification requirements for your country. Then there's the task of finding out when on-line entries open and making sure you sign up in time to secure a place. Last but not least you need to start working on honing your Laser racing skills.

And yes, there's the training. You are planning on racing almost every day for a week on a Laser sailing on the open ocean in potentially heavy winds. You need to know the boat backwards and forwards and be able to execute every maneuver with your eyes closed. You have to know how the boat sails in a variety of conditions that probably don't exist on your home waters. You need to be able to know and trust that you are prepared physically and mentally to deal with world-class competition in all conditions.

But mostly, you need time to really appreciate what you are about to do. Sailing is an inherently romantic activity and sailing in a world championship in the UK in September is the absolute best example of that romance. Cool weather getting cooler every day, beautiful showers, amazing fogs, perfect drizzly sailing conditions: sailing in the UK has everything. The anticipation builds and builds and then is amazingly surpassed by the experience. I have never met anyone who has not sailed in the UK who would not not do it again.

To start this incredible journey, the first step has to be taken. If you will be over 35 when the regatta starts, decide to enter. Start preparing your training plan. The race is only 576 days away, the preparation is beginning.

Related Posts
2008 Laser Masters Worlds - Australia
Flags Are A Flying
As Big As The Promise
Think
My Dreams Are A-Dying
How Many Times I Have Fallen
Never Fail to Fail

Original inspiration for this post provided by 500 days until the Pacific Cup by the SF Sailing Examiner a.k.a. the EVK4 SuperBlogger.