The 2024 ILCA 6 World Championship in Mar del Plata, Argentina drew to a close and came away with a now-career-best silver medal in this Olympic Year. This achievement followed just 143 days
after securing a 5th place finish and securing country qualification at the previous 2023 World Championship.
Update on the past 4 Months
Following the 2023 World Championships, I dedicated time at home to reassess and pinpoint key areas of focus in the upcoming months leading into the U.S. Olympic Trials in February. My focus centered around conducting intensive on-water training and gym sessions. Over the last four months, I got the opportunity to sail across the world with the very best sailors in the country and the world. Taking me to:
Miami, USA
Vancouver, BC
Cagliari, ITA
Vilamoura, POR
World Championship Recap
The championship in Mar del Plata unfolded with 101 boats representing 46 countries and featuring a format of 3 days of a qualifying series, 2 days of a final series, and one medal race. The varying conditions each day, ranging from storm-driver unstable breezes to 20-knot fronts, demanded a dynamic approach. Each race and day brought on it's unique challenges, requiring a different mindset to the type of racing we were about to face.
Heading into the event, I knew that this event had no bearing for me on my Olympic Qualification. Instead, it served as a valuable warm-up and check-in on the skills and racing form I've been working on for the past several months in preparation for the U.S. Olympic Trials next month.
Day 1
On the 1st day of the championship, the wind was ranging from 8-12 knots of breeze from the N/NE, accompanied by rain showers scattered around the course. Throughout the day the Race Committee had difficulty getting off a fair start due to large windshifts caused by incoming weather. During the 1st race, I got off the start line and tacked immediately to the right side of the race course, rounding the top mark in the mid-teens, catching boats throughout the race, sailing into the top 10, and finishing off the race with a 7th. Unfortunately, just before our second race, a storm came through the course, causing racing to be abandoned for the day.
Day 2
Due to only completing one race the previous day, the agenda for Day 2 was aimed to squeeze in three races. The day unfolded out of a Northerly wind ranging between 15-20 knots. With a stable forecast throughout the afternoon and impending thunderstorms later in the day, we successfully finished all three races.
The first race was the windiest race of the day. I started at the committee boat and took the lane out to the left side, rounding in 1st and maintained my position for the entirety of the race. Going into the second race with the same plan as the first, I rounded the first top mark in 2nd and eventually advanced to 1st, securing two bullets on my scoreline.
In the final race, a less-than-ideal start put me in a position of playing catch-up for the entire race, concluding with a 15th-place finish. Despite having subpar starting skills on Day 2, I managed to compensate for it with my speed, ending the day satisfied.
Day 3
Day 3, the final day of the qualifying series, brought a light 8-10kts of breeze out of the Southeast/ East, a direction we haven't seen yet. Despite a decent start and uncertainty about which side was favored, I found myself rounding the top mark mid-fleet. With a very strong downwind leg, I was able to catch boats, ultimately finishing in 17th position.
Given the safety concerns of yesterday's thunderstorm, the Race Committee took precautionary measures for the anticipated storms in the afternoon, calling off racing early. This concluded the qualifying series and secured myself a spot in the gold fleet.
Day 4
Day 4 was the first day of the finals series (gold/silver fleet) featuring two races playing out in completely different conditions. The 1st race was out of the Northwest with an unstable 7-10kts of breeze. Unfortunately, I found myself consistently on the wrong side of the course, posting a 37 in my scoreline. Following this race, there was a long delay waiting for the wind to stabilize.
As the day progressed, a southwest front rolled in, bringing 18 knots of wind. Having a decent start with an adversely favored pin end, I scored a 2nd place, positioning me in 6th overall going into the final day of fleet racing with three races remaining.
Day 5
On the final day of fleet racing, we experience a breeze ranging from 7-13 knots, gradually increasing throughout the day from the northeast. Today's emphasis was on consistency and adhering to disciplined plans laid out in my pre-start routine. Recognizing this, I sailed consistent top 10 scores of 9,4, and 3, putting me in 2nd place overall going into the medal race, with a comfortable 11-point lead over 3rd and 4th place. The focus on consistency and strategic discipline proved a successful outcome on the last day of gold fleet racing.
Medal Race Day
On the 6th and final day of the world championship, I entered the medal race with an 11-point lead over the tied 3rd and 4th, fully aware the worst-case scenario would be securing 4th place overall. Comforted by this knowledge and already proud of my performance this week, I was excited to yet again experience another medal race.
The wind was out of the northeast and decreasing to an unstable 7 knots accompanied by washing machine waves, making the medal race particularly difficult. Understanding that a good start and staying within six boats of my competitors would guarantee the silver medal, I focused on executing that strategy. Finishing the medal race in 8th, I secured the silver medal and concluded the 2024 World Championship on a high note.
View Final Results here
Going into the Olympic year with a notable achievement, I am more than eager for the upcoming month, gearing up for the final push towards the U.S Olympic Trials starting February 17th in Miami, FL. Securing a silver medal reinforces that the process is bringing positive results. The unwavering work put in behind me is a testament to the collective determination and belief of everyone involved. I am sincerely thankful for the support and encouragement from the community around me, as their influence has played a crucial role in shaping my performance.
I want to thank Alex Saldanha for coaching me and keeping me in check when I need it. And to the squad behind me, training to push the bar even higher each training session.
Lastly, I want to thank the US Sailing Team, America One Racing, US One Design, Devoti Sailing, Windmark Sailing Foundation, the Sailing Foundation of New York, and St Francis Sailing Foundation for your support and this last push into the upcoming Olympic Trials and Olympic Games!
As January comes to a close, I have been able to take time to rest and focus on things at home before heading down to Miami in the coming weeks. I am more than prepared and eagerly await whatever challenges and opportunities lie ahead!
This final financial stretch leading up to the U.S Olympic Trials, coupled with the subsequent training and regattas schedule for this spring before the Olympic Games in August, entrails significant expenses. To strive for excellence requires top-notch equipment, coaching, training, nutrition, physical therapy, and more. However, our organization faces limitations in resources to meet these substantial costs.
HOW YOU CAN HELP!
Join my team and help support my journey towards Paris 2024! Every contribution matters, and anything you can offer is greatly appreciated. If you someone who might be interested in supporting me or learning more about me, please share this with them!
You can make a quick donation of any size at my GoFundMe by clicking here.
Alternatively, I am set up with the Windmark Sailing Foundation and the Sailing Foundation of New York - nonprofit 501 (C) (3) organizations. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to:
Windmark Sailing Foundation
P.O Box 638
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
Memo: "For Sailors Like Charlotte Rose"
Sailing Foundation of New York
P.O Box 124
Rye, NY 10580
Memo: Charlotte Rose or Y638082
Thank you immensely for considering joining me on my journey to represent the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. I wouldn't have reached this point without the tremendous support of my donors, partners, friends, and family! Stay tuned for more updates.
Warm Regard,
Charlotte Rose
Comments