
TrainingPeaks CoachCast
Season 5 Ep 8 — The Intersection of Cycling & Sailing: Ben Day's Journey to the America's Cup
Aug 16, 2023
Ben Day, retired pro cyclist and head performance coach of the American Magic team, discusses the intersection of cycling and sailing in the America's Cup. Cyclors, with their lower-body strength, play a crucial role in manipulating sail shapes. Absolute power, not watts per kilogram, is key in yacht racing. Training for yacht racing differs from road cycling, and a strong aerobic foundation is crucial. Learn how to contact the team and submit training peaks files to join their talented group of athletes.
52:08
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Cyclors in yacht racing, with their lower-body strength, can produce significantly more power than arm grinders, making them valuable in manipulating sail shapes and optimizing boat performance.
- In yacht racing, absolute power is the key metric for performance, with targets such as over 1,000 watts per 30 seconds and 440-450 watts for the 20-minute mark.
Deep dives
Focus on Absolute Watts
The goal in yacht racing is to produce the highest absolute watts possible, regardless of watts per kilogram or watts per CDA. The standard for performance in the upcoming America's Cup includes targets such as over 1,000 watts per 30 seconds, over 540 watts per four minutes, and 440 to 450 watts for the 20-minute mark.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.