Have you ever wondered what goes through the minds of PROs? In our new series, Pro PROs, we’re sitting down with some of the best PROs in the business and asking them the tough questions: like what their favorite course type is and finding out once and for all whether they are pro or anti flags. We’ll share their best course setting advice and tips for you to take back to your race courses.
Today’s PRO spotlight features one of the youngest PROs in the world, Jeppe Krat!
An avid sailor himself, Jeppe decided to join the PRO game early and 3 years ago, became Denmark’s youngest certified Race Officer.
Learn what Jeppe’s favorite venue is, his advice for new race officers and whether he’s treated differently because of his age.
Let’s hear it for Jeppe!
Tell us a little about where you are from, your sailing background and when you first became a PRO.
I’m from Copenhagen in Denmark and have been sailing for over eight years. During my sialing career, I have sailed RS Tera, Zoom8, and I now sail the 29er. Just over three years ago, I decided to become a PRO.
What is your best of advise for someone new to race committee?
Get out with someone experienced and learn from them. Learning all the good practices from other race officers is best done on the water, where all the action is. Go to the sailing associations’ Race Management Courses and expand your network.
Being such a young PRO, are you ever treated differently by other race officers or sailors because of your age?
There is an overall respect around being a young race officer. I feel that there are many who think it’s great that I, as a young sailor, got involved in Race Management. I am also conscious of being very professional in my work and seek advice and support from more experienced Race Managers.
What is the most egregious rule violation you have ever seen?
I mostly see very fair sailing, where the sailors abide by the rules and take their penalties. The mistakes I see are often about a lack of knowledge of the rules rather than bad intentions.
Where is your favorite venue?
Køge Bugt, the bay located near my hometown of Greve, has one of the best sailing areas in the world. The combination of tricky wind from land and large waves from the Baltic Sea makes the venue versatile. No wonder people say “if you can sail in Køge Bugt, you can sail anywhere.”
Hardest course to set up correctly?
Courses with a lack of support boats or MarkSetBots.
Are you pro or anti flags?
I think flags are easy to understand for sailors. It’s an easy way to communicate with a lot of sailors.
Do you see a difference between running a race with Bots versus without?
The lack of a large race course crew is noticeable, but the abilty to change the course in a few seconds and with large precision is the most noticeable. Bots make it easier to lay out a good course and help deliver even better races for sailors.
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