Downwind in a Swedish Offensive Sailing Adventure

The Sailing Association and SOK are making a significant investment in various types of analysis ahead of Paris 2024 and Olympic sailing in Marseille. The complementary development investment of SOK and the Sailing Association required new energy and additional efficiency, which was found in appointing a major international sailor as well as researcher as the new reference person, funded by SOK, for the Swedish boats competing for the Olympic Games.

For many years, in-depth knowledge and development work related to weather, winds and currents was a normal part of Olympic preparations, as well as of course developing materials in various categories, to improve boats and rigs for local conditions in Olympic waters, says SOK Operations Director, Peter Rainbow.

Race for Great Britain

The Italian-born Laura is a former world sailor who competed at the highest level for Great Britain.

– We were in the world’s top eight before Tokyo, but the British choices were tough and the boat that was allowed to compete took the silver, says Laura.

When Laura was not allowed to compete at Nacra in Tokyo, she was quickly recruited into the Swedish team by SOK. Since December 2020, she has been involved in several projects within the Olympic offensive as a researcher at SSPA, the former Norwegian Institute of Ship Testing, which was acquired in 2021 by the government research institute Rise from the Chalmers Foundation. Laura has been at SSPA since 2019 and is a distinguished researcher specializing in the relationship between fluids and structure. She knows all about how fast things move in the water.

– Before the regattas, we pass and measure all equipment so that the boats are optimally equipped for the applicable conditions, explains Laura.