Competing at an Olympic Level, Q&A w/Erik Bowers

Lake Minnetonka native Erik Bowers sat down with LMSS last week to discuss his upcoming sailing endeavors while training for a spot in the 2016 Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro.

When did you start sailing with LMSS?
I think my first year at LMSS was 1997 or 1998. It seems like a long time ago however I was a part of LMSS program until 2007.

What competitions and sailing experiences got you to where you are now? Collegiate, High School, Nationals Events?
I’ve raced Optis, X Boats, Laser Radial and Standard, 420s, FJs, and E Scows.
My first big success was winning the 2005 X Boat Inland. This motivated me to look for new challenges outside of the ILYA. Lasers and 420s were the natural progression from there. I raced in multiple high school and college nationals. I’ve also been fortunate enough to sail E Scows with both Gordy and my dad, Mark. This past year though, has been the most demanding schedule wise. I raced 3 big events in Europe as well as my first World Championship. Racing at each level teaches exactly what is required to win from starting, to speed, to decision making, to physical conditioning as well. Nothing reveals the necessity to improve these things like first hand experience.

What inspired you to take on an Olympic campaign?
Olympic sailing is the absolute pinnacle of small boat racing. The Laser class is the deepest fleet contested at the Olympics and a class that has produced many of the best sailors in the world for decades. It’s also the class that best suits my physical build.

Do you have a particular highlight from your Rio Campaign thus far?
I don’t really have any highlights from the international racing the past year to be honest. The racing experience and coaching feedback from the past year has been extremely valuable and will serve me well going forward.

What does a typical day of practice on the water look like?
When I’m training with the other US guys and coach Mark Littlejohn, we go sailing for a session lasting 1.5-2.5 hours with a very specific focus. Sometimes it’s two shorter sessions separated by a 2 hour break on land. We did this leading up to the recent 2013 Worlds in Oman. Later in the day, there’s a 1 on 1 debrief with Mark regarding the specifics of the practice.

Do you have any words of advice for upcoming LMSS sailors?
Don’t take success or failure personally. The result you got came from your actions and current skill level, not who you are as a person.

Where are you headed next!?
I’m headed to Rio Jan 3-11 for a large big event in South America which will give me some experience on the Olympic waters.

Favorite hobby outside of sailing?
I like visiting art and history museums and seeing what antiquities and ancient artifacts they have in the collection. I also enjoy going to ancient sites themselves. I recently visited the Art Institute of Chicago after submitting documents for a Brazilian Visa at the consulate there. I think it’s amazing what people were capable of creating and building a couple thousand years ago without any of the technology that we take for granted.

Thank you Erik for your time and good luck competing this week in South America! Special congratulations on your win last week at the Open Orange Bowl Regatta at Coconut Grove Sailing Club!