• #education
  • #rs21
14 May 2025

SLAMs U23 Mentoring-Programm ist zurück

SLAM’s Mentoring Program for Under 23

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WATCH ALL THE EPISODES

SLAM | video

The Project
SLAM | video

Episode 01

Training to Win
SLAM | video

Episode 02

Mental Strength

SLAM SAILING ACADEMY

SLAM’s Mentoring Program for Under 23s2024 began with an ambitious, complex, and exciting challenge. Guiding thenew generations to push past their limits and break through the barriers oftheir training journey gave us unforgettable emotions, and at the same time, adeeper awareness of how demanding the path of a young athlete can be. In the2025 season, SLAM renewed its commitment and doubled down on it, standingalongside the Under23 crews and the women’s team. While last season’s program focused primarily on technical aspects, our 2025 goal is to equip every athlete with all the tools they need to grow in a solid,long-term way. Mental strength, physical training, nutrition, and the role of communication in sponsorship seeking will be at the heart of the journey, fully integrated with their sports performance. Beyond limits, but also results with the mission to build performances that give lasting value and substance to the extraordinary energy only young people can bring. SLAM is with them every step of the way.

ONE-DESIGN REGATTAS: WHERE TRUE SAILORS ARE FORGED

The RS21 is a modern, fast monotype designed for pure fun and competition at the highest level. Each boat is identical to the others: same rig, same weight, same sails. There’s no best performing boat to count on in the fleet, nor a better rig. You can only count on yourself and your team.

This is where the true sailors emerge. Those who can read the wind, choose the right tack, who can make the boat glide onwards without missing a manoeuvre. Technique is essential, but never enough: a keen focus on strategy and the ability to think on your feet, to weigh the options and think through every next move in advance, become fundamental for claiming every inch that could make the difference between victory and defeat.

  • WBT TEAM - 234

  • NOX OCEANI - 285

  • MAGIQUE ET TERRIBLE - 230

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Andrea De Matteis

Andrea De Matteis learned early on that in order to go fast, it takes more than just good sailing: you have to know how to change course at the right time. And so, from the lonely silence of his RS Aero, he found himself at the heart of the young and hungry Team Nox Oceani, charging forward on an RS21 at full throttle. A leap in class, pace and responsibility, without abandoning the main events of the RS Aero 6 class, of which he is World Champion.

A deep dive into the RS21 Under 23 Project: the experience of Andrea De Matteis and Team Nox Oceani

From single-handed dinghies to an RS21 crew: how a group of young sailors can grow from adrenaline-fuelled racing, shared strategy and exceptional mentoring

The RS21 Class Mentoring programme is more than just a technical support initiative: it is a development experience. And when Andrea found out that Ganga Bruni would be leading the project, he couldn’t contain himself.

“I was thrilled right off the bat. Ganga is a coach with a huge amount of experience. Even just listening to him break down a regatta is enough to make you realise just how far you have to push yourself... and how much you can grow if you have the right people at your side.”

With Ganga and a team of specialists - not only technicians, but also experts in communication, psychology and stress management - Andrea has discovered and will continue to discover throughout this 2025 season, how large a difference every detail can make. Even at shore.

  • ©CodeZeroDigital / RS21 Italian Class

  • ©CodeZeroDigital / RS21 Italian Class

TACTICS, STRATEGY, TECHNIQUE: THE ART OF RS21 RACING

One-design racing is decided by the smallest of details. An aggressive entry at the start can give you control of the fleet or leave you trapped in a tangle of sails. A mistake at the stern gate can lose you five positions in an instant. A buoy passage left too wide means leaving room for those close on your heels, while a narrow passage can slow you down, just when you need to speed up.

But there is only one true secret to winning onboard the RS21: the crew. No champion can win alone. Every manoeuvre must be executed perfectly, every member must know exactly what to do and when to do it. It is a team game where teamwork is as valuable as pure speed itself.

Looking up to “Ganga” Bruni

The RS21 Class Mentoring programme is more than just a technical support initiative: it is a development experience. And when Andrea found out that Ganga Bruni would be leading the project, he couldn’t contain himself.

“I was thrilled right off the bat. Ganga is a coach with a huge amount of experience. Even just listening to him break down a regatta is enough to make you realise just how far you have to push yourself... and how much you can grow if you have the right people at your side.”

With Ganga and a team of specialists - not only technicians, but also experts in communication, psychology and stress management - Andrea has discovered and will continue to discover throughout this 2025 season, how large a difference every detail can make. Even at shore.

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