San Diego born Mark Reynolds grew up sailing Stars since the age of four, eventually becoming an SDYC Junior Sailor and instructor. After attending San Diego State University where he was an All-American in 1974, Mark competed in the ’88, ’92, ’96 and ’00 Olympics, winning gold medals in ’92 and ’00 and a silver medal in ’88. In addition to winning several other Star World Championships, Mark also won the 1979 Pan American Games in the Snipe Class.
These days, Mark owns Quantum Sails Loft and is coaching Charlie Buckingham for the 2016 Olympic Games in the Laser Class. We checked in with Mark between training sessions in Rio to see how preparations were going and how sailing in the Olympics has changed over the years.
SDYC: How long have you been coaching Charlie? How did you get connected with each other?
Mark: I started coaching Charlie a year ago- we did a regatta together in the UK and then the Worlds and Pan Ams in Canada. We had talked about 6 months earlier about maybe doing a regatta or two but then Charlie’s previous coach was assigned to the Radial so Charlie needed a full time coach. I’ve known Charlie’s dad since we sailed Sabots.
SDYC: What will the last few weeks of Charlie’s training be focused on?
Mark: We just finished an 11 day session in Rio mainly doing practice races. This gives us not only racing practice around the whole course but learning the wind shifts and current that we could get during the Olympics. We’ll do one more session like this in July. The last few weeks before the Olympics will mainly be spent just organizing our daily schedule. We will be moving into the village, moving our boats into the venue and just dealing with all the additional issues that come up at the Olympics. The village is about a one hour bus ride away so we’ll be factoring this in with everything else. We’ll be doing some sailing but at this point any time on the water is just a bonus, we aren’t saving much for the last few days!
SDYC: What have been the toughest challenges for sailors in qualifying for the 2016 Olympics?
Mark: I would say the toughest thing is having the financial ability to be able to make the effort. You have to go to where the competition is and that means sailing worldwide. It used to be enough to sail within the US, where we had deep Olympic boat fleets, but this is no longer the case. The level is super high so the commitment needs to be 100% and that means you need to be either sailing or in the gym.
SDYC: How has sailing in the Olympics changed or evolved since you competed years ago?
Mark: As above, the commitment needs to be 100%. I was able to still have a job and compete, albeit as a sailmaker, but today you need to either be training or racing.
SDYC: What is one of your fondest memories of representing SDYC while participating in the ’88, ’92, ’96 or ‘00 Olympics? What about the Pan Am Games in 1979?
Mark: The Pan Am Games was my first experience in representing our country, it’s very similar to the Olympics just on a slightly smaller scale. It was good to have that experience behind me when I finally went to the Olympics in ’88. My fondest memory would have to be receiving my gold medal in ’92 and then again in ’00. The hoisting of the American flag and playing of our national anthem was very emotional.
SDYC: What advice would you give other aspiring Olympic sailors to help them achieve greatness in the world of competitive sailing?
Mark: Always give it a 100%. Grow up at SDYC and learn from all the great sailors that came before you.
SDYC: Once your Olympic coaching experience is complete, what will be your next goal or future challenge in the sport of sailing? What are your post-Olympic goals for Charlie?
Mark: I didn’t expect to have this coaching job. I did coach at the last 2 Olympics but that was in the Star and they took the Star out for 2016. I can’t tell Charlie much in regards to making his Laser go faster but fortunately his previous coach did well in that department. I’ve been focusing on tactics, strategy and just helping by utilizing all of my previous Olympic experience. I have no plans to do future coaching, I’ll be running my sail loft here in San Diego and trying to spend a bit more time at home!
SDYC: Do you have any favorite sailing venues or locations to train, race or coach?
Mark: We have a big advantage living here in California when it comes to sailboat racing. Very important is the fact that we can learn from all the great sailors that came before us but we also have ideal sailing conditions. Newport Beach and south for light winds, the Bay area for strong winds and Long Beach for all conditions.
SDYC: How did growing up (and teaching) in the SDYC Junior Program prepare you to be an Olympian?
Mark: It’s the reason I was able to become an Olympian. When I was a junior we had the best instructors and SDYC gave me the opportunities to compete with the best. Sailing Sabots all summer in the cove off the Club was the best experience one can have. I was also fortunate that my dad was friends with people like Malin Burnham, Dennis Conner, Ash Brown, Lowell North, Carl Eichenlaub, etc. so I was able to talk to and learn from all these great sailors.
SDYC: How did your family cope with your training schedule & medals?
Mark: It was difficult as it required being gone so much but other jobs require similar traveling. Fortunately my wife, DeAnn, was able to keep everything functioning when I was gone. A lot of credit goes to her.
SDYC: How do you like being a coach as opposed to the competing athlete (what can you offer that is different)? How has sailing changed since you were campaigning?
Mark: I’m enjoying coaching. Now that I’m not sailing at the highest level anymore it gives me a chance to still be involved helping Charlie and the US team excel. Many of my contemporaries are also involved like me so we can catch up with each other. The Olympic sailors are much more athletic than when I was sailing. These sailors are all in incredible physical shape. One advantage of being the coach now is that I also don’t have to work as hard as the athletes. While they are at the gym after sailing I can enjoy a beer or two!