Emerging Nations Sailors Gear Up for Paris 2024

Hey there, sailing enthusiasts! With just three weeks until Paris 2024, sailors from 65 nations are gearing up for the big event in Marseille. Among them are athletes from countries making their Olympic debut, thanks to the incredible support of the Emerging Nations Program (ENP) by World Sailing.

Boosting Global Participation

The ENP aims to bridge the gap between nations in international sailing by providing the necessary resources and training to countries that typically face coaching or budgetary constraints. This initiative has been a game-changer, with the number of Emerging Nations sailors qualifying for the Olympics rising to 21, nearly triple the number from Tokyo three years ago.

Road To Gold: A Winning Strategy

For the past two years, the ENP has incorporated the Road To Gold program, an online training blueprint designed by Hamish Willcox, a renowned medal-making coach. This program, tested and proven over four decades, has been instrumental in the success of many top sailors, including Olympic champions Pete Burling and Blair Tuke.

Structured in 12 sequential steps, Road To Gold covers everything from basic boat handling and fitness to advanced tactics, strategy, and mental preparation. It's all about getting sailors to think systematically about their campaigns and prioritize effectively.

Positive Impact and Endorsements

Catherine Duncan, Development Manager at World Sailing, played a key role in introducing Road To Gold to the ENP. She highlights how it has helped sailors set clear priorities leading up to the Games. "Road To Gold maximizes the use of available resources, making it perfect for the ENP. We're thrilled to see the growth and success of these teams and wish them all the best in Marseille."

Since its launch in 2020, Road To Gold has received high praise from the sailing community. Notable endorsements include Sir Russell Coutts, 7-time Olympic medal-winning coach Victor Kovalenko, and 5-time Olympian Robert Scheidt. They all commend the program for making elite-level knowledge accessible to a wider audience.

Supporting Emerging Nations

In a show of support, Road To Gold has licensed the program to World Sailing at no cost for in-house ENP sessions. Additionally, they are offering free access to their complete program for any Emerging Nations teams until the end of the Games. Interested teams can reach out at sail@roadtogold.net.

Looking Ahead

Hamish Willcox, who co-created Road To Gold with sailing journalist Andy Rice, is thrilled with the program's impact. Currently coaching Spain's Olympic representatives, Diego Botín and Florian Trittel, Willcox sees this collaboration with World Sailing and the ENP as a fulfillment of his mission to level the playing field.

Blair Tuke, Hamish Willcox, and Peter Burling celebrating their Gold Medal win after the penultimate race in the 49er at the Rio Olympic Regatta Blair Tuke, Hamish Willcox (Road To Gold co-creator), and Peter Burling celebrate their Gold Medal win after the penultimate race in the 49er at the Rio Olympic Regatta

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