Psychological Fitness
This includes joyfulness and having fun in racing, courage, goal setting, training evaluation and diary keeping, relaxation training to deal with stress, anxiety, fear, doubt, emotional roller coasters, motivation, peaking, self image, visualisation and mental rehearsal or practice. This also requires daily preparation - molecular restructuring of the mind takes time. Stress and pressure can have a detrimental effect on performance. Use centred Relaxation Techniques such as progressive relaxation, relaxation on cue, relaxation anywhere, letting go of thoughts relaxation.

Reduce stress - learn to manage your life style. "It's not the situation that's causing your stress, buddy; it's your thoughts, and you can change that right here and now." Be confident and think positive thoughts rather than being self defeating with negative thoughts.

Joseph Brodsky in his December, 1988 University of Michigan commencement address said: "No matter how abominable your condition may be, try not to blame anything or anyone: history, the state, superiors, race, parents, the phase of the moon, childhood toilet training, etc Be precise with your language, be kind to parents and do not set too much store by politicians."

The most successful of all sailors from the Former Soviet Union was Viktor Potapov. He won a Bronze Medal in 1972 at Kiel in a Finn, was fourth in 1976 in a 470, was Gold Medalist and World Champion in 1980 in a Tornado. He was also the best Flying Dutchman and Star sailor in the Former Soviet Union. He was thrown off the National team because he only trained hard enough to be the best Soviet.

He was more interested in a Ph.D. in psychology than in the Soviet style of continuous training. It is indicative that this greatest of all Soviet racing sailors wrote his Ph.D. thesis on the psychology of competing at the top for world championships and Olympic medals.

In a word - What some want to think: "No pressure I can go just for fun.", "Try not to lose your head.", "Your anxiety is your opponent.", "Be able to rely on your instincts, conscious thinking is too slow.", "Be confident and attack.", "Don't lose composure.", "Don't have to hang your head.", "Timing is everything."

Jose Maria Van der Ploeg said, "Thinking with a clear head was the key to my consistency and a Gold Medal."

Training Techniques
Practice, Practice, Practice. Practice like you race: well planned and intense. Quality, not quantity is important. Use training partners. In the end, they want you to know as much as them; having a superb training partner or small group that you can be open, honest and candid with is critical. Being willing to talk pays off when others think of things you didn't or their questions open up new ideas. Training partners should also try to 'kill' each other in practice.

Also use coaches. In the end, they want you to know more (than they do). They are usually excellent observers and should be cultivated. Eventually you have to make their ideas your own. However ups and downs will occur with a disciplined, rational, unemotional training outlook.

Training sessions with a partner(s) should have an agreed focus and goals. A coach can help by giving these. At the end of each practice, it is important to evaluate what you have done and achieved. A training and racing diary is very helpful but it takes effort to keep your log entries up-to-date.

It is important to have periodization in your training. It is very difficult to maintain the highest level of preparation and competitive intensity over a long period of time. You have to point toward some future period, about a month long, where you will be at your best and on the path to that period you have to train to your weak points. Get out of your boat and watch it in gory detail working against other boats. Experiment with different sailing styles. Be radical, sometimes do counter intuitive things.

Consider

Budgets, Funding, and Logistics
Make a detailed budget with cash flow needs. Logistics includes vehicles, housing, parts, stocks, tools, clothes, insurance, credit cards, passports, tickets, especially timing, etc. When you need some money - 'Look 'em in the eye and ask for their help'. Politics is an intriguing game on its own but it is a distraction; whining doesn't help. When the pressure is on - remember mental training, eliminate distractions, keep centred.

Public Relations and Sponsorship
No one ever does it alone so make it fun for your supporters. Have a press release w/day phone number - for reporters, supporters and sponsors. Produce a self promotion brochure: describe the boat, your results, your campaign, contribution mechanisms. Describe what a potential sponsor gains from involvement with you: Local, National and International Exposure, Image Enhancement, Advertisement availability and cost: Hull , sail, boom, clothes. Have a contractual agreement and arrangement. Have a mailing list to keep everyone abreast of your successes, trials and the experience. Even produce a newsletter to make others feel a part of it. Keep a file of newspaper clippings, obtain photos (get a pro but keep the rights and include his credit line), or take a reporter sailing.

Thank yous - Most important! Give back. Maybe a quarter of what you get.

Finally...
Enjoy it yourself, enjoy others and never give up.