Enoshima, Tokyo. - It's been a whirlwind of activities for Lara Dallman-Weiss '11 and her Skipper, Nikki Barnes, since the pair punched their ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in March. However, it wasn't all that much of a surprise. In fact, it was what was expected of the tandem. "To me, it feels like it's what was supposed to happen. I just believed in myself, my dream, and my team so much that it's more just like this is the next step for us. We're just so focused on what's next," said Dallman-Weiss when we caught up with her earlier this month.
Preparations (March-July)
After qualifying, Dallman-Weiss and Barnes participated in an exclusive training group in Spain. They went through intense racing every day for a month against four men's boats and 10 women's boats before returning to Miami in June.
Their final month of preparation included lots of time in the gym, meetings, focus on the little details, and the changes in Tokyo, including the time, travel, and the weather.
Enoshima is a 13 hour time difference from Miami. In early July, both Dallman-Weiss and Barnes started setting their time ahead each day to prepare for the change. They would start waking up, training, and going to bed later to make the adjustment in Japan easier.
In addition to the ramped-up training, Dallman-Weiss noted that one of the best things was being the sole representation for Team USA in the Women's 470 Class, which brought tremendous pride.
The duo finally got to display the USA flag on their spinnaker during their training in Spain, where Dallman-Weiss described the feeling of sailing with the US flag as surreal. "Being included in all the team USA stuff and that feeling of what it's like representing and fighting for your country is really just the best feeling."
The Olympics
Typically, teams arrive at the competition site well in advance of their competition to train, learn the conditions and set up their boat. However, due to the Olympic COVID protocols, teams arrived just two weeks ahead of this Olympiad.
According to Dallman-Weiss, the COVID protocols may play in their favor. Olympians are not allowed contact with anyone outside the villages, and no family, friends, or fans are in attendance at any of the games. These protocols allow for fewer distractions, "it's really just eat, sleep, and sail."
In fact, the pair already benefited from the year postponement. Barnes and Dallman-Weiss came into the Olympic campaign late. Most sailors have been sailing together for a long time, where Dallman-Weiss and Barnes had just two years together.
The extra year did wonders for the pair, allowing them more hours to learn sailing, each other and build their team chemistry. The more time they spent together, the more they knew how each other works and how they work together. "We are five years apart and very different people, but we have a very cool relationship. We really appreciate each other and lean on each other's strengths."
Heading into competition, Dallman-Weiss will focus on their performance at the trials in March, where the pair finished seventh overall. The trials featured a similar field to the Olympics and the same caliber of competition.
Competition begins on July 27, with 11 races spanning over the course of eight days. When asked about the mental prep and how to focus over that long of a span, Dallman-Weiss focuses on staying present. "My overall thinking is one day at a time and one race at a time, and it helps to keep me really present. You're not thinking about the previous race or the next day. Just stay in the moment."
She also concentrates on sticking to a routine. At the Olympics, there is a lot more noise from press boats to helicopters surrounding the bay. There are also factors outside of the athletes' controls, like scheduling. "So we focus on our routine and the things we can control. I make lists of things that I need to do and things I can control each day and stick to them. It helps me not overthink and focus in."
They race in Enoshima Bay, which is 35 miles south of Tokyo, where they face various weather conditions. Heat is the main factor with temperatures in the mid-90s. Dallman-Weiss and Barnes will use ice vests and various hydration techniques to combat the temperature.
The weather can range from light air, a typhoon (which Storm Nepartak is currently heading just north of Tokyo), heavy wind, big waves, or a mix of everything. The water in Enoshima Bay is also constantly moving in all directions creating constant changes in the types and sizes of waves, which the athletes will have to factor in.
When asked about her preference of conditions, she stated she likes anything where she could be very physical and outwork other boats, typically really light or really heavy wind. However, she tries not to focus on whether she favors the conditions but focuses on her team. "It's really just us against ourselves out there, and if we are the fastest boat out there, we are doing well. I try not to focus on other boats because it distracts from our speed. "
View this graphic for a full breakdown of Olympic racing.
Check back daily at EckerdTritons.com for updates, and tag us on Instagram (@eckerdtritons) in your pictures/videos as you cheer on Lara and Nikki.
Follow Team US Sailing on Instagram (@ussailingteam), Twitter (@ussailingteam), and Facebook (USsailingteam). Follow Lara on Instagram (@ldallman) or Lara and Nikki on Instagram (@perfectvisionsailing).
Schedule
July 27, 11:00 pm - July 28, 5:00 am (Live Video)
July 28, 11:00 pm - July 29, 5:00 am (Live Video)
July 29, 11:00 pm - July 30, 5:00 am (Live Video)
July 31, 11:00 pm - August 1, 5:00 am (Live Video)
August 1, 11:00 pm - August 2, 5:00 am (Live Video)
August 4, 1:30 am - August 4, 4:30 am (Medal Race and Victory Ceremony) (Live Video)
NBC video replays can be found here.
