What is (are) your name(s), and where do you sail?
Robbie Daniel: Clearwater Community Sailing Center…which has just been named an official Training facility for US Sailing!
Enrique Rodriquez: Miami and Key Largo
How long have you been sailing F18s?
RD: Since AHPC first came out with the Original Capricorn, followed by the C2
ER: Since AHPC first came out with the Original Capricorn, followed by the C2
Did you do anything special to prepare for the 2013 F18 Americas Championship?
RD: Unfortunately not. Enrique and I get to sail together about once a year to keep a sailing relationship going after 25 years! We did not even get a practice day in. We just hop on and go!….a little bit different than what we did together when doing an Olympic Campaign!
What do you think was the biggest factor in your success in Sarasota?
Both: We just enjoy sailing together….we only wish we could have enough time to sail more often and properly prepare.
The Americas Championship was a 17 race event with conditions from 5-25 knots. How did you manage to have success over such a broad range of conditions?
Both: Experience, 25 years of sailing together off and on, and 4 Olympic Campaigns!
What was the most memorable regatta moment for you?
RD: Seeing the kids I have been coaching do well, and some beat us and do so well! It is a proud moment to have us win the Masters while one of the teams I coach, Taylor Reiss and Matthew Whitehead, win the youth division. VERY COOL! It is like watching your kids grow up.
Every event has difficult moments. What was yours, and how did you overcome that setback?
RD: It is very difficult to know what you are capable of and not have the time to prepare. You have to learn to enjoy the event despite those obstacles and be happy with the bright moments you can pull together.
If you could get a redo for one sailing mistake during the week, what would it be? what would you do differently?
Both: Spend at least a few days training! It would be great to be 20 years younger!….but nothing enough Advil can’t fix!
For new teams just getting into F18 sailing, what would be your biggest piece of advice?
RD: Get coaching and spend time training. Unfortunately but at the same time fortunately, I spend most of the time I have training others at one of the Red Gear Racing Camps. Although it is very rewarding, I find that I have to sacrifice the time that I would normally spend on my own team. BUT, when I see those teams do well, those rewards make up for it.
