UKLA Chair blog #61
Last week, Micky Beckett was announced as the TeamGB representative in the single-handed (ILCA7) sailing event at the Paris 24 Olympics. It reflects his superb performances this season - silver medal at both the Worlds and Paris test event, winner in Palma and 2nd place at Hyeres (behind his teammate Elliott Hanson). Of course, we know Micky well. He is a regular competitor at UKLA events, most recently in September in Paignton, always happy to share his knowledge and provide support. He has coached regularly for UKLA and even did some club training at Queen Mary a couple of weekends ago. He did one of our virtual training sessions last winter and is always ready to contribute. A group of seven ILCA7 Masters were lucky enough to be coached by Micky at the Master Worlds in Mexico, where we got to know him well and our consensus is that he is a super role model.
Last week I also attended an event where Theodore Roosevelt was quoted "to educate a (person) in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society". I thought about this in the context of UKLA - is it our role to create brilliant sailors? The answer is clearly no. We support an inclusive class with a wide range of competencies and skills where each sailor is on their own journey, whether that is a youth sailor enjoying club racing or aspiring to an Olympic medal or a master returning to sailing or wanting to go the Masters Worlds. Yes we need to provide a supportive and encouraging environment at the high-performance end but also make club sailors welcome alongside this, giving them the opportunity to improve. Indeed there is more to do on inclusivity especially along gender, ethnicity and socio-economic lines, but that's another topic (see blog #59 on improving female participation).
But there is more than supporting and encouraging high-performance. We want to see our top sailors (whether youth, senior or master) to compete fairly and with integrity. We want them to be role models and give something back. We don't condone cheating and we challenge poor behaviour and foul language. This includes misogynistic behaviour (again blog #59 on calling out this behaviour). We also want a safe environment for all our participants - sailors, coaches, parents and volunteers. Don't get me wrong, top sailors often compete "with an edge" and I am certainly no angel in this regard, but we must stay the right side of the line.
We have seen a change in strategy from UK Sport, who provide the funding for most Olympic sports including sailing. After a series of controversies around athlete welfare and selection (not in sailing), possibly arising from a win at all costs approach, their updated strategy still has winning at its core alongside "winning well" or with integrity, using that to inspire the next generation of athletes. Our winners need to be capable of being admired.
This is what UKLA and all of us need to support. But it is why we should congratulate Micky, not just for his brilliant performances, but because he wins well.
Snippets:
21-22/10/2023 - The final qualifer at WPNSA will feature a separate series and start for girls/women in the ILCA4 - it is an open event (entries close 16th October 2023)
Half term UKLA open training - calendar
28-29/10/2023 - Masters Inalnds at Grafham SC. Inland Championships for sailors over 30 years old (entries close 25th October 2023)
4-5/11/2023 - Inland Championships at Draycote Water SC - entries are now open
November training sessions entries will open tonight