While winter may keep many off the water, it hasn’t slowed Seattle Yacht Club’s Team Cascadia. Instead, this group of sailors uses the off season as an opportunity to sharpen skills, build shared knowledge and stay connected as a team through structured Zoom trainings. These sessions have allowed sailors to stay engaged, focused and unified despite being in different locations.

Winter training sessions help create a strong foundation so that when sailors return to on-the-water practice, they’re ready to hit the ground running. The focus has been on refining key elements of racing that often make the difference in close competition.

One major area has been starts. Sailors have reviewed videos of their own starts, as well as other teams’, to identify what works, what doesn’t and how small adjustments can lead to big gains. These conversations have sparked thoughtful discussion and helped build a shared understanding of timing, positioning, and communication on the line.

They’ve also emphasized local knowledge, with dedicated talks focused on racing in Newport, Rhode Island, later this year. From wind patterns and currents to racecourse nuances, these sessions provide sailors with a clearer picture of what to expect and how to prepare strategically for the venue.

Boat handling and role clarity have been another priority. Sailing with 11 people means each team member has specific responsibilities at every point around the course. By reviewing their playbook and analyzing footage from other teams, they’ve been refining our processes and identifying best practices. This work has reinforced teamwork, anticipation and smooth transitions during high-pressure moments.

Finally, they’ve been conducting rules reviews to ensure everyone feels confident and fluent before returning to racing environments. These refreshers help reduce uncertainty, improve decision-making and allow them to race smarter as a team.