Kate Shaner and Charlotte Mack sent out an update after their World Cup Miami regatta last month (as part of their 29er campaign), and I’ve borrowed some of it here to update those who might not be on their mailing list. It turns out it was a challenge just getting to the starting line. But in keeping with their positive attitude, they just keep on keepin’ on. You can visit their website (and donate to their cause) here.
Kate and Charlotte trained hard this winter to prepare for World Cup Miami. In January, they sailed in the first Olympic Development Clinic of the year, and got to work with top coaches from around the country. Unfortunately, on the third day of the camp Charlotte was diagnosed with pneumonia.
After going unnoticed for several months, the illness spread throughout Charlotte’s lungs. Doctors put her on bed rest and multiple courses of antibiotics. For three weeks, Charlotte slept and healed and Kate spent time on the water, watching from the coach boat or sailing with younger teammates. Three days before World Cup Miami, Doctors cleared Charlotte to sail.
After leaving the x-ray table to come to practice, Charlotte made a heroic effort to prepare for the event. In those three days of training the team made a checklist of priorities and each day ticked off boxes to get as much done as possible.
With a fantastic turnout of 36 FX teams World Cup Miami proved tightly competitive. Light, unstable breeze kept sailors on their toes. Close racing made for excellent practice for Kate and Charlotte as they work towards their peak event at the World Championships in New Zealand next winter.
Over the next several months the team will continue to train in Miami, focusing on fitness and race course decision making.
To improve her knowledge of racing strategy and management, Kate will cross train in other areas of the sport. She will race with the Melges 24 team Blind Squirrel, take a Navigation class from John Jourdane, and race offshore in Southern California
“Sailing is a lifelong sport and I want to learn from those who’ve spent a lifetime improving.”
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.