How to you choose the perfect racing kit?

2  world’s  top  athletes  are sharing their approach , tips and secrets on how to test, analyse and choose  the perfect sailing gear.

In the Optimist class, this is a question that naturally comes up throughout every sailor’s development. It’s not just about finding high-performance gear, but about building the sensitivity needed to turn a boat into a reliable, almost transparent tool between the sailor and the water.

To explore this process, we looked at two different yet complementary approaches of two CD Sails team  sailors of great experience  - Olha Lubianska  and Briggs Kossmann .

Olha Lubianska

 Female World Champion 2025; female bronze  bronze medalist of European Championship 2023, winner and  medalist of many other main international  events.

 

 

Briggs Kossmann

2025 U13 USA champion, 2025 Team USA Worlds Team  with bronze medal in Worlds Team Racing , 2025 USA Junior Olympic Champion, champion of numerous  most important regattas in USA and   all around the world.

 

 

 

Comparison  between 2  world’s  top  athletes  gives also an important insight how    approach and sensibility can be different between boys and girls when it comes to choose, test and analyse the right equipment.  

Two different paths, but a shared goal finding the right balance on the water.

Two beginnings, two paths

For Olha, the shift from hobby to something more serious happened gradually. Joining her coach’s team marked a turning point: training alongside already competitive sailors changed her mindset. Results came with time, but more importantly, she developed a clear understanding that progress requires structure, consistency, and method.
Briggs’ path was more immediate. From his very first experiences, something clicked right away:
“I started sailing green fleet in February 2023 and immediately I loved the freedom of being on the water in my own boat. I did my first regatta in March of 2023… and I was hooked.”
From that moment on, sailing became a constant something he simply wanted to do as much as possible.

Training: structure vs consistency

physical preparation, and time on the water, with only one rest day per week. Each session has a purpose and fits into a broader plan shared with her coach.
Briggs follows a more direct approach, driven by time on the water and physical consistency:
“I want to sail every day I can. If I can’t sail, I always work out. I focus on core, back, and quads and also cardio for stamina.”
His mindset is clear performance comes from repetition and physical readiness. As he puts it: “You have to train off the water if you want to be successful on the water.”
Their relationships with coaches also reflect two different models. Olha builds a strong, continuous connection with a primary coach, while Briggs embraces input from multiple figures:
“I am very lucky to have multiple coaches… My goal is to be a rounded and complete sailor.”

Choosing equipment: feeling or data?

When it comes to selecting equipment, their approaches highlight two perspectives that ultimately meet in the same place.
For Olha, everything starts with feeling. The key is simplicity and control, having a setup that allows her to sail naturally, especially under pressure.
Briggs adds a more analytical layer to the process. His approach is structured around testing and comparison:
“I would take my different sails and speed test against other sailors so I can see the difference in performance… I made a log book to keep track of how each day went.”
This combination of on-water comparison and written tracking allows him to build a clear understanding over time.
At the same time, he highlights something that connects directly with Olha’s approach the importance of feedback from the sail:
“The sail gives you great feedback… This allows you to optimize your performance on the water because the sail is responsive to adjustments.”

The key moment: testing on the water

If there is one area where Olha and Briggs fully align, it’s how they test their equipment.
Both rely on direct comparison on the water. Two boats, similar conditions, and a clear objective: understand what works best.
Briggs summarizes his approach very clearly:
“I always speed test against other top sailors. I look for acceleration, speed, and point angle.”
Olha structures the same idea in a more guided way, working closely with her coach, swapping equipment and analyzing video afterwards to connect feeling with performance.
Different structures, same principle: the real answers are always found on the water.
Setup: no secrets, just precision
Another strong point of connection is their view on setup.
Neither talks about hidden tricks or shortcuts. What really makes the difference is attention to detail.
Briggs puts it very clearly:
“There are no secrets, it’s attention to detail. The sail is designed to be a specific shape…
I just make sure that I optimize that shape and adjust according to conditions.”
For Olha, this translates into finding a setup that guarantees control and ease of handling. For Briggs, it’s about precision and adaptation.
Same idea, different language but identical outcome.

Before the race: total confidence

Race preparation is where all this work comes together.
Briggs describes his approach in a very practical way: “I check everything… and go through every piece of the boat from line conditions to sail condition, wear, tear… anything that might need to be replaced before race day.”
It’s a complete “nut and bolt check”, making sure nothing is left to chance.
For Olha, the goal is the same: going on the water with equipment that is known, tested, and fully trusted.
Because in the end, confidence in your gear allows you to focus entirely on racing.

Two approaches, one principle

Looking at these two paths side by side, one thing becomes clear.

There is no single way to choose the perfect setup. Some sailors build their choices around feeling, others rely more on data and structured testing.But the goal is always the same: finding equipment that allows you to perform without distractions.
The best sail is not necessarily the most powerful one, but the one that lets you be

consistently fast in all conditions, without fighting the boat.
This is exactly where the work behind CD SAILS comes into play. The goal is not just to create fast sails, but to develop equipment that gives sailors clarity, feedback, and confidence on the water. When a sail responds in a predictable and intuitive way, it becomes easier to focus on what really matters: decisions, strategy, and execution.

Advice for young sailors

Both Olha and Briggs highlight something that goes beyond technique and equipment. ‘Don’t scare to try a new things like: trim, technique or equipment’ , encourages Olha  underlining  how important is to  never stop looking for what can be improved and keep on testing various setups and approaches even  after the right  equipment is defined.   

Briggs brings it back to a simple but important idea: “Enjoy all the fun of sailing and the friends you make… If you are having fun, you will practice more and that time on the water is what will make you a better sailor.”

It’s a reminder that even at a high level, improvement is built on consistency, curiosity, and enjoyment. And in many ways, that may be the most important tool of all.

 

Article by Rebecca Geiger