ENP Athletes' Fitness and Concentration Levels Tested
After a fitness test on the ' beautiful grounds' of the DSR Camp in Bicton, the sailors went straight into on-water training.
This morning they were sailing in overcast conditions in under 10 knots. During this session, their coaches Belinda Stowell (Gold Medallist at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games) and Arthur Brett (Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Coach for Australia) focused on boat/equipment handling skills.
This afternoon the wind picked up and the focus turned to racing.
"The challenge is to implement what they have learnt," said Brett.
"We saw glimpses (of implementation) but they haven't mastered the routine yet," said Stowell.
"It's about building that sytematic approach," added Brett.
"That was always the plan - to test their fitness and concentration levels. They go together," he explained.
"They (the 11 ENP athletes) don't sail everyday of the year like professional sailors in other countries do," he continued, referring to those countries that are not considered developing sailing nations.
"We are trying to instil a level of professionalism in them."
After a theory session this evening, the two coaches agreed that all of the athletes would sleep well tonight!
Tomorrow is a new day and their programme begins early with training at the gym.
