10 Athletes Join Paris Henken for 49erFX Clinic in Miami
by Allison Chenard 30 Oct 13:27 PDT
October 26-27, 2024
Participants began with land drills to improve their footwork on the boat during tacks and practiced coordination for getting on and off the trapeze wire with tiller exchange © US Sailing
On October 26 and 27, ten athletes came together at the US Sailing Center in Miami, FL for a 49erFX “Try it Out” clinic led by Paris Henken, a 49erFX Olympian from Rio 2016.
The 49erFX, known as the “Women’s Skiff,” is raced by two women in the Olympics. However, both male and female participants received essential coaching, as the younger male athletes will eventually transition to the 49er, a slightly larger “Men’s Skiff.” This clinic was the second in 2024 aimed at strengthening the American 49erFX fleet and enhancing the skills of novice skiff sailors in this highly technical boat.
The first day commenced with a welcoming morning meeting from Rosie Chapman, the Olympic Development Director, followed by Henken’s outline of the planned activities. The group congregated around a stationary 49erFX on a trailer, rotating through land drills to master footwork during tacks and coordinating their movements for trapeze wire exchanges while steering. They learned how to rig the FX, launched three boats, and applied their land training on Biscayne Bay. In winds ranging from 10 to 12 knots, Henken and assistant Liam Waltz established a basic windward-leeward course for repeated laps, rotating the sailor combinations throughout and even swapping in themselves to demonstrate.
Engaging in land drills aimed at enhancing footwork during tacks and mastering coordination for trapeze wire exchanges with the tiller was a core part of the training.
“It was fantastic to experience the skipper’s view. Improving as a skipper makes you a better crew member and vice versa,” stated Declan Donovan, who typically sails as a crew. “Crewing for Paris Henken allowed me to focus on ‘driving the boat with the mainsail.’ Observing her reactions with the helm based on my sail adjustments quickly enhanced my understanding of how to anticipate gusts and lulls.”
On the second day, athletes reviewed video footage captured during the first day to analyze their movements and set goals for the concluding day of the clinic. They hit the water in winds of 10-15 knots, continuing to refine footwork, managing their turns through tacks, and trapeze techniques over a three-and-a-half-hour session.
“This group has been a true delight to work with,” noted Henken. “Everyone was eager to learn and ask questions, and it was refreshing to see their readiness to tackle a challenging boat. The learning curve in the skiff is steep, and throughout the weekend (with a few capsizes along the way), I am confident that everyone became a bit more comfortable on the trapeze wire and with handling the boat.”
“This is the second 49erFX Try-it-Out Clinic we’ve conducted this year,” remarked Chapman. “These weekends are crucial for athletes’ progress and their developmental pathway. They provide an opportunity to acquire new skills in a fun, safe, and supportive setting while learning directly from the best!
“The success of this camp was largely due to Paris Henken,” she added. “The countless hours invested in setting up the boats and her commitment during the clinic were invaluable. The effort is not easy, and I am immensely grateful for Paris and Liam Waltz, who assisted her this weekend.
“We are currently in an exciting phase on the road to LA28; athletes are exploring new classes and partnerships, which is how we establish a robust foundation from the start. I was thrilled to see the dedication and enthusiasm from both coaches and athletes. As always, we appreciate the US Sailing Center’s accommodations that made this camp possible. Together with Sally Barkow (Head of Olympic Operations), we’re well-prepared for the upcoming fall Olympic Development camps and eager to maintain this momentum.”
