Principal Race Officer of Russian Dragon Open tells about different formats of regatta, generation changes and relationship with sailors.
You started this season as the “Judge of the Year” prize. Did something change after getting this award?
Nothing special, I just have to be more responsible, but, anyway, I try to do my best at each regatta, and it doesn`t matter for me, is it a kid’s competition or a national championship. My duty is to avoid falling below a certain level, if you’ve attained some height, it is necessary to keep it. (To keep the highest level)
You serve both at domestic and international competitions, so you suppose to meet a lot of colleagues from abroad. Does judging in other countries differs or this work hasn’t got national peculiarities?
Of course there are some differences. At world and European championships, where I worked, I saw how they judged. And it always was curious to understand nuances of judging, note that things which they are doing in their own way and to understand them. When they place first mark, they do everything so carefully and spend a half-day on it. We care less about it, just trying to follow the rules strictly. We don’t want to keep sailors on water for long, so we try not to delay start of the race! Of course, after the start, you must be very careful, watch out not only for the participants but also notice changes of the wind, how it affects a race. Sometimes it happens that the race is better to stop, because a part of the fleet receives advantage and fight becomes unfair because wind changed direction or strength. In general, I think that we are doing our work not worse, than foreigners, and this is important!
You’re working both at fleet regattas and match-races. Which do you like more?
Normally I’m working at fleet racing, in which lots of yachts are starting at the same time. It’s always interesting, and work brings result for the large number of sailors , no matter which class is competing: “Optimist”, or “Dragon” as it is now,. So the fleet races are closer to me. Match races are interesting also. There we can witness fight between the two sailors. Here, umpires become more important, our role as a race committee is limited. In some type of regattas as we have seen on Neva with Extreme 40, umpires also were present at fleet races…
It`s common now. Umpires help at the fleet races: they monitor rule 42 compliance (means of propulsion ). But at the Extreme 40 they judged participants and monitored for rights of way rules violations. It is allowed by regatta rules for umpires to communicate directly with competitors by means of flags. However, at
rules allow them to communicate with the sailors using flags . However, normally this system isn’t used.
Which type or class of yacht attracts you more in and on which class you like to sail yourself?
I love working with Olympic classes: “Finns”, “470.” I am interested in youth races, “Optimists”, “Cadets”. Normally I sail at amateur races, mainly abroad. In Russia l often have to be a judge.
You know several generations of sailors, have you traced any changes among competitors and sailing itself?
When we were starting, there was less boats and equipment as we have. Everything was outdated. But we wanted to grow, to achieve results, win medals and trophies. At that time in national team was a lot of sportsmen. 18-20 boats could win medals! Now we don’t have this. There are sailors who achieve local success, but global results are yet to be achieved. A lot of respected people whom I know for years sail in “Dragon” class. These are old school sailors, they are very experienced. It helps “Dragon” to lead both in Russia and worldwide.
How can we grow a new generation?
All conditions have been created. At first glance, there are so many talented guys, but something prevents them from achieving high results. They just like to be in the sailing. It’s not bad, but if we want them to achieve results, we need huge work of coaches. In my opinion, to raise high-level athletes, we need to reform coaching school. Lack of coaches with advanced knowledge is the main problem now. Maybe we need to invite foreign coaches to work with young sailors? I’d like to have coaches who have grown champions.
Some say that you are too loyal to sailors. Is it true?
I don`t like to be angry. From my sailing experience I remember how unpleasant to deal with arrogant judges. Fair races can be organized only by true professionals. It is unbearable to have committee boat as a rookery of sea lions, indifferent to everything. Actions of judges, signals that they give, shouldn`t cause issues. If conditions change we immediately try to react. Overall, I’m on the sailors’ side.
What do you expect from this regatta?
Normally the Russian Dragon Open regatta has good environment for committee to conduct their duties. This year I expect a serious fight for overall win. In Dragon class fleet level is very high, everyone can compete with recognized sailors. The favorites are Anatoly Loginov, Dmitry Samohin, Victor Fogelson, Michael Senatorov, I can count a lot of names. We’ll know soon who will understand the current, see the wind better. This is what it takes to win. Normally the competition is very close here up to the end. All in all regatta promises to be very exciting.
