Transforming Training at the Opti Lake Garda Meeting

Every April, nearly a thousand Optimist sailors descend on the northern shore of Lake Garda for one of sailing's largest youth events. The 44th Lake Garda Meeting brought together young athletes from across the globe, and for one coaching team, it was also the perfect proving ground for a new approach to performance training.

We sat down with Coach Maru Urban from UR Sailing to discuss how Vakaros technology shaped their week in Riva del Garda.

Vakaros: Tell us about your group at this year's event.

Coach Maru Urban: For the first time, we brought together a joint group with UR Sailing and Goldwinds, and we chose Garda because of the incredible place to sail. For me, it was also the perfect opportunity to introduce technology into the environment.

We had around 28 sailors from Spain, Great Britain, Lithuania, Slovenia, USA, and Brazil, which made it a really strong and diverse group. Our main goal going into the event was to integrate the use of Vakaros technology into a clinic setting for the first time. We wanted the sailors not just to train on the water, but to start understanding their performance through data. And honestly, it worked really well.

VK: For anyone who hasn't been, how would you describe the Lake Garda Meeting?

MU: The event is incredible. You have close to a thousand boats, sailors from all over the world, and families spending Easter together in Italy. It's more than a regatta, it's a full experience.

The venue is just unreal. Great food, amazing views, the lake surrounded by mountains, and snow still on top. This year we were lucky with sunshine every day and great breeze, which made it even better. It's one of the best events out there. I recommend everyone to come at least once.

It's the biggest youth sailing event in the world, and that really says everything about what it is.

VK: How did the conditions shape your coaching approach for the week?

MU: It's everywhere, right? You look around and there are sailors, parents, coaches, vendors, boats — it's nonstop. That environment creates a lot of excitement for the kids, and at the same time keeps them focused because they're surrounded by it all the time.

In terms of conditions, we were really lucky. Garda gives you both winds — the Peler from the north and the Ora from the south. Typically, the breeze transitions around 11 to noon, and then it fills in from the south. We had really nice, consistent pressure, around 12 to 15 knots, which is perfect for the kids. It allowed them to experience different conditions but still sail in a very controlled, high-quality environment.

VK: Walk us through how you used Vakaros throughout the week.

MU: The use of Vakaros in our clinic changed a lot of things. The biggest difference is that the kids can actually see what's happening with their performance and understand what they need to change.

We use the tool in two different ways. First, on the water — they have real-time information: compass heading, speed, heel. They're looking at the numbers live, and whatever they do on the boat immediately affects those numbers. That connection is powerful because it turns feel into something they can see and trust.

Then we follow up with the debrief. Usually the next morning, we go through the data from the previous day and present it to the group. Whether it's speed testing, starts, or mark roundings, we break it down and show exactly what happened. From there, we connect the data back to the fundamentals — what they did well, what they need to improve, and how to execute better next time. That's where the learning really locks in.

VK: Were there any standout moments where the data changed how your sailors understood something?

MU: Yeah, there are key moments, like mark roundings, where we can actually see who was inside, whether there was room or not, and really understand the situation.

Another big one we discovered was trimming. By working together with Cyclops, we were able to measure mainsheet load, and that data made a huge difference when we compared it with speed, angle, and overall performance. There are a lot of these moments where we start connecting the dots and discovering what really matters — and more importantly, what we should be doing consistently.

VK: How do you keep young athletes engaged with data without overwhelming them?

MU: Honestly, what we show in the clinic is still nothing compared to what kids are already used to on their phones today. And I think that's exactly why it works so well; it grabs their attention.

It's real information, happening in real time. They can see how they're actually performing. You look at the numbers and you know: am I doing well or not? You can compare yourself to others. It becomes very clear.

In a way, I see it like a video game. The kids are playing a different game now, and the future is going to look very different because of that. You can already see it — everything is evolving. The Olympic formats, the way we train, race management, how data is used — it's all changing. And this technology is coming at the right time to support that shift.

VK: What platforms did you use alongside Vakaros to analyze performance?

MU: We use IB Sailing (SailViewer). It's one of the best platforms for data analysis, and a lot of the key insights we collect come from there. We also use ChartedSails, which helps us visualize everything: tracks, maneuvers, positioning. The kids can clearly see what actually happened on the water.

VK: How did the team perform overall?

MU: Really well. We had sailors across the board — top 5, top 100, and spread across all fleets: gold, silver, and bronze. So we were everywhere, which is great to see. It shows the depth of the group and the level we're building. Overall, it was a great week and a great experience for everyone involved.

VK: What would you say to a coach who's curious about Vakaros but on the fence?

MU: The new generation of sailors is already growing up with phones, social media, and everything that comes with it. That's just how it is today. So for them, it's much easier to visualize what they're doing, and that helps a lot.

It keeps them engaged. It connects directly with how they learn now. It's a different time, and the kids are different. They don't want the same approach we had; they want something that speaks their language. But when you combine that with our experience, the data fits in really well.

I also think you need to bring in other tools, like drones, to complete the picture and improve visualization even more.

This is the new way of training. It's already happening. And we're getting results faster on the water through drills, feedback, and understanding.

Want to learn how Vakaros can transform your coaching program? Explore the Atlas 2.