| |
Words of Wisdom – 01-22-06 - Interview with Peter Seidenberg
Q: Can you tell us how you got first into sailing and then how you
transitioned into the Laser?
A: I got introduced to sailing at age 14 through a brief period of crewing
on my stepfather's 10 sq. meters national racing dinghy in local regattas.
This got me hooked to the sport for the rest of my life and got me involved
in more extensive local and regional dinghy racing on a then-popular
Snipe-like boat called "Pirat"; ocean racing and cruising on the Baltic Sea;
a transatlantic crossing; and some keelboat racing on Lake Ontario. In 1969
I re-discovered my passion for dinghy sailing and started racing Finns. I
switched to the Laser in 1973 and sailed it exclusively and continuously
ever since.
Q: Having won numerous masters titles at the national and world level, what
do you see as being the most important keys to improvement?
A: If one wants to improve one's racing ability one has to be actively and
continuously involved in racing the boat at least on a national level. Local
and even regional racing is not enough. One needs to get exposed to top
national and international sailors and copy their rigging and sailing style.
Taking part in a clinic from time to time for some tune-up can also make a
big difference.
Q: How does frostbiting fit into your improvement and training program?
A: He who rests, rusts. Frostbiting prevents the deterioration of the skills
one may have acquired in the summer. If I were younger, I would be more
enthusiastic about frostbiting. At 68, I've also lost the macho attitude. I
like the camaraderie and competition, however, and show up when the weather
is not too severe and when I'm in town and not sailing in some warm place
like the Dominican Republic where I was recently or Florida where I will be
shortly.
Q: As a lighter sailor and great grand master, how do you manage to do well
in heavy air? In addition to sailing, do you have an exercise program?
A: Successful sailing in heavy air is not all about upwind speed, it's also
about down-wind speed and staying up-right. This is when experience comes
in. When it really blows, boat handling takes priority over weight. I seldom
arrive at the windward mark in first place, and it doesn't worry me as long
as I'm close. The new rigging has helped the lighter sailor, though, by
allowing the sail to be de-powered more effectively. Physical strength and
agility are a must to be a successful sailor in heavy air. I work out in my
basement gym periodically and go to yoga classes twice a week. I value the
Laser as an incentive to stay fit. My interest in racing is supported by the
many regional, national and international masters regattas that allow me to
measure myself against my peers.
Q: Having sailed all over the world, are there a few places or major
regattas that stand out as "must do" venues/regattas?
A: Masters sailing has taken me to some wonderful places. If I had to rate
them, I would place Pattaya in Thailand ahead of Cancun followed by
Fortaleza in Brazil.
Q: Recently you raved about Cabarete in the Dominican Republic, can you tell
us about your experience?
A: I was there for 10 days taking part in a 4-day clinic and the 3-day
Caribbean Midwinters. I went there because Jack Zinn and Peter Kavanaugh had
raved about it from their previous year's experience. Tim Landt, who owns a
condo there, prodded me on as well. It is an awesome place located on the
North coast of the island on a bay that is surrounded by a reef. The water
is warm, the air is warm, the trade wind is strong and dependable. One can
sail outside or inside the reef depending on the conditions. The sailing
center is rudimentary but owned and manned by very enthusiastic sailors, led
by Ari Barshi. Their numerous clinics throughout the year are conducted by a
professional coach from Argentina. This was their 4th Caribbean Midwinters,
and I can hardly wait to get back there for the next one. Our fleet was well
represented by John Bentley, Jack Zinn, Peter Kavanaugh, and Gary Orkney.
Read more about Cabarete on the Web site "http://www.caribwind.com/"
Q: Lastly, we all appreciate the lasting contribution your Seitech Dollies
have made to the sport. Are there any big issues you think that could help
make another leap forward in the popularity of dinghy sailing in the US?
A: It has been a thrill to develop, manufacture and market the Seitech Dolly
and I proudly acknowledge my contribution to the growth of dinghy sailing in
general and Laser sailing in particular. I couldn't have dreamed back in
1989 that the Seitech Dolly, one day, would be standard equipment for the
Laser and other dinghies. Something like this doesn't happen too often, and
I don't see anything of this magnitude on the horizon. Evolution won't stop,
though, and improvements will come in small steps. Anything that makes
sailing the Laser easier, safer and more fun should be welcomed and embraced
by the Class. I have sailed the boat for 33 years now and have seen numerous
improvements. I would still like to see more. For instance, there should be
2 loops at the end of the hiking strap, one for the adjuster and one for the
shock cord. Both in the same loop bind each other. There should be a "JC
Strap", like on the Finn, that holds the boom forward in light air down-wind
sailing. When the boom was allowed to carry a sleeve to prevent bending and
breaking, the upper mast should have received the same. The Class failed
there. It took only half a step. All talk of a so-called carbon fiber mast
should be terminated in favor of a sleeve. It would be an instant and
inexpensive solution to the bending and breaking problem. Another change I'd
like to see is the introduction of unlimited kinetics in winds exceeding 15
mph similar to the Finn and 470 classes. It would be tremendous fun to sail
the Laser to its potential. It is ridiculous to restrict the sailor to
steering only and one pump per wave. In Fortaleza, sailors were flagged in
6' waves and 20 + knots of wind! Those are the changes I'd like to see
short-term.
Thanks,
- Steve -
|
|
