Back in the Boat: Lessons from J/Fest and the Road to Nationals
We're pushing hard toward our Olympic goals, even when that means stepping into different classes to sharpen our skills. This past weekend at J/Fest in Ventura marked our return to J/70 racing after a significant break, where we finished 2nd, but the results sheet doesn't tell the whole story. We had some early success and some great lessons throughout the weekend. In this post we'll focus on what we learned and how this racing fits into our campaign. Congratulations to Ryan Cox and his team on DJ for taking the win! Grant will be sailing with the DJ team next weekend in Santa Barbara for the Cinco De Mayo Regatta, while Jordan is on the water in Annapolis doing some J70 racing with team Progress at the Annapolis NOOD regatta.
Finding Our Rhythm Again
Jumping back into the J/70 for the first time since winning the One Pro World Championship in 2021 (Jordan was 15!) felt like reuniting with an old friend—familiar, yet requiring some reacquaintance. Despite the rust, our speed was immediately competitive, proving that the fundamentals we've been building in Olympic classes translate well across platforms. We had moments of brilliance: strong starts that put us in contention and boat speed that allowed Jordan to play the game from the position of tactician.
But here's where it gets real—and where our supporters get to see behind the curtain of high-performance sailing. Racing with family brings unique dynamics that don't always exist in typical crew configurations. Jordan and I have developed an incredibly objective, efficient communication style through our Olympic campaign, but we discovered that what works in a two-person boat where we spend every day rehearsing our communication and coordination, doesn't always translate to a four-person team.
The Communication Challenge
The second day brought big breeze, and with it, a masterclass in team dynamics. We found ourselves walking the tightrope between necessary urgency and micromanagement. As Grant explained, it's about "painting the broad strokes of the picture so that everyone on the boat understands what we're trying to achieve, without micromanaging the details."
This insight is gold for our Olympic preparation. In the heat of competition, clear communication that inspires confidence rather than creates tension can be the difference between a podium finish and watching from shore. We're learning to balance objective information with positive reinforcement—keeping everyone "excited to find the groove, rather than nervous about making a mistake." Debriefing after the J/Fest, this stood out as a huge focus for us in the weeks ahead as we spend a bit more time in the J/70 leading up to the National Championship in Santa Barbara this summer.
Looking Ahead: Nationals and Beyond
Our sights are now set on the J/70 Nationals this summer, where we'll welcome Patrick Wilson to the team. Patrick brings deep J/70 expertise that will help us extract every ounce of performance from the boat. But more importantly, this event serves as a stepping stone to our larger vision.
The 2027 season will see us aggressively pursuing high-level competition across multiple fleets, particularly on the East Coast where the J/70 class attracts world-class talent. Every race, every practice session, every debrief like this one builds toward our ultimate goal: standing on the Olympic podium.
This weekend reminded us that excellence isn't just about boat speed—it's about building a team culture that thrives under pressure, communicates with precision and positivity, and constantly evolves. We're not just learning to sail fast; we're learning to win as a family, as a team, and as Olympic hopefuls.
The journey continues, and we're grateful to have you along for the ride.
We're pushing hard toward our Olympic goals, even when that means stepping into different classes to sharpen our skills. This past weekend at J/Fest in Ventura marked our return to J/70 racing after a significant break, where we finished 2nd, but the results sheet doesn't tell the whole story. We had some early success and some great lessons throughout the weekend. In this post we'll focus on what we learned and how this racing fits into our campaign. Congratulations to Ryan Cox and his team on DJ for taking the win! Grant will be sailing with the DJ team next weekend in Santa Barbara for the Cinco De Mayo Regatta, while Jordan is on the water in Annapolis doing some J70 racing with team Progress at the Annapolis NOOD regatta.
Finding Our Rhythm Again
Jumping back into the J/70 for the first time since winning the One Pro World Championship in 2021 (Jordan was 15!) felt like reuniting with an old friend—familiar, yet requiring some reacquaintance. Despite the rust, our speed was immediately competitive, proving that the fundamentals we've been building in Olympic classes translate well across platforms. We had moments of brilliance: strong starts that put us in contention and boat speed that allowed Jordan to play the game from the position of tactician.
But here's where it gets real—and where our supporters get to see behind the curtain of high-performance sailing. Racing with family brings unique dynamics that don't always exist in typical crew configurations. Jordan and I have developed an incredibly objective, efficient communication style through our Olympic campaign, but we discovered that what works in a two-person boat where we spend every day rehearsing our communication and coordination, doesn't always translate to a four-person team.
The Communication Challenge
The second day brought big breeze, and with it, a masterclass in team dynamics. We found ourselves walking the tightrope between necessary urgency and micromanagement. As Grant explained, it's about "painting the broad strokes of the picture so that everyone on the boat understands what we're trying to achieve, without micromanaging the details."
This insight is gold for our Olympic preparation. In the heat of competition, clear communication that inspires confidence rather than creates tension can be the difference between a podium finish and watching from shore. We're learning to balance objective information with positive reinforcement—keeping everyone "excited to find the groove, rather than nervous about making a mistake." Debriefing after the J/Fest, this stood out as a huge focus for us in the weeks ahead as we spend a bit more time in the J/70 leading up to the National Championship in Santa Barbara this summer.
Looking Ahead: Nationals and Beyond
Our sights are now set on the J/70 Nationals this summer, where we'll welcome Patrick Wilson to the team. Patrick brings deep J/70 expertise that will help us extract every ounce of performance from the boat. But more importantly, this event serves as a stepping stone to our larger vision.
The 2027 season will see us aggressively pursuing high-level competition across multiple fleets, particularly on the East Coast where the J/70 class attracts world-class talent. Every race, every practice session, every debrief like this one builds toward our ultimate goal: standing on the Olympic podium.
This weekend reminded us that excellence isn't just about boat speed—it's about building a team culture that thrives under pressure, communicates with precision and positivity, and constantly evolves. We're not just learning to sail fast; we're learning to win as a family, as a team, and as Olympic hopefuls.
The journey continues, and we're grateful to have you along for the ride.