Q&A WITH COACH FLOR

Q&A WITH FLOR CERUTTI: CYC’S SINGLE-HANDED COACH

1. HOW HAVE THE SAILING PROGRAMS EVOLVED IN RECENT YEARS?

In 2021, we started an interesting project. The main goal was to build up our Race Team again. As a Single-Handed coach, I oversaw the Optimist and Laser classes. In May 2021, the Laser and Optimist teams had fewer than ten sailors. Last November we closed the fall season with 41 sailors registered in the Single-Handed Race Team. In addition, we inaugurated the Opti Lime and Laser Masters teams. The latter is aimed especially at our adult members who are interested in expanding their sailing skills and want to feel the wind and water up close. With this tremendous growth, and above all thanks to the great support of the Board members and the club management, we can continue planning and working on new projects that expand the possibilities of bringing sailing to all our members.

2. HOW IS THE CLUB INCORPORATING FOILING INTO THE PROGRAMS?

Thanks to the agreement CYC reached with SailGP, we have opened a door to the world of Foiling. From my humble point of view, Foiling is the future, if not the present, of the sport. One of our goals is to become a reference in the Foiling world in the USA, and why not? What is very clear is that we have interesting goals to keep working on to keep growing and improving.

3. WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FLORIDA THIS WINTER?

Last year, we started the first winter program. The proposal was aimed at our youngest sailors, the Optimist class sailors. The program was a success, generating nautical activity at a time of the year when the sailors of this region usually stop. In addition, sailors from other teams joined us, and that was a great added value for our young members. This year, we went a step further. With the enormous support and trust of the Board, we extended the offer to more classes.

Until mid-April, the Club offers four winter programs for the youngest sailors in the Optimist (green and RWB) and Laser Youth classes. We also added a Laser Masters program. The goal is to give our members the opportunity to sail, train, compete and keep improving throughout the winter.

We have an agreement with the Clearwater Community Sailing Center to welcome and base us there for the whole season. Clearwater is an awesome spot to practice. The sailing conditions are fantastic and varied. This allows us to sail with different conditions compared to Chicago.

5. WHAT ARE THE ACCOMODATIONS?

The area offers excellent lodging. We reached an agreement with the Clearwater Beach Marriott Hotel. It’s offering a special discount to all members registered in our winter programs. It is one minute away from the Sailing Center. This is a tremendous opportunity for our members. Reserve your spot, buy your airline tickets, book your hotel and pack your sailing clothes, sunscreen and sunglasses. We will be waiting with boats ready to sail!

6. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE NEW YEAR?

The human value of our teams is undoubtedly one of the pillars of the growth we have achieved. One of my main desires is to be able to keep working for all these wonderful people and families and to continue to contribute so that CYC continues to be the Club of excellence that it is. ✶

113 TH RACE TO MACKINAC