Mark Rushall Profile
I am a well established sailing coach, mentor, author and sailing journalist. I was the Strategist for the British Sailing Team’s campaign for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero and in Tokyo, and am currently working on strategies for Marseille in 2024. Since 2019 I’ve been a visiting lecturer at Chichester University, focussed on the Physics of Sailing, and Applied Meteorology.
RYA coaching
Regularly working with the RYA’s Racing Division, I am a technical coach to Podium Development sailors and Podium sailors, on their journey to the Olympic Games.
For Bejing in 2008, and London 2012, I coached the Paralympic Sonar team, part of the RYA’s Team GBR squad.
Other projects
In addition to the RYA, I get involved in many other projects. I have been coaching advisor to Oman Sail’s keelboat programme, I’ve coached and run a successful Tour de France a la Voile team, as well as providing coaching for a wide variety of private clients.
In 2007 my first book RYA Tactics was published. The completely refurbished 3rd edition came out for Christmas 2019 and includes many new chapters.. Meanwhile, I’m working on a new coaching book.
Racing Rules
Ever since my team racing days I’ve been fascinated by the sailing rules. And over the years have built up my expertise on the Racing Rules of Sailing. I now sit on the RYA Racing Rules Committee: the “law lords” of British sailboat racing!
Mentoring & coach development
In addition to my on water coaching, I’m part of the RYA’s coaching development team: helping our coaches to develop their technical and coaching skills. In 2014 I completed a professional Mentoring programme with Ashridge Management College. It was fantastic to be working with coaches across a wide range of Olympic sports, many of whom I met again at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Background
As a sailor, I have been successful in a range of classes and won my first National Championship aged 16, starting in Mirrors sailing with my sister Ruth. I moved into Fireballs and Larks, as well as being National Team Racing Champion, and four times winner of the BUSA Team Racing Championships. I’ve succesfully campaigned sportsboats and keelboats, occasionally race our classic keelboat boat with my wife Liz, as well as some local racing in our RS200.
My early career with Racing Sailboats, Proctor Masts and Hyde Sails gave me extensive experience of boat development, in depth insights into technical spar production and sailmaking as well as marine retailing.
My ethos
“Using my sailing and career background, I aim to offer a wide breath of racing and technical expertise tailored for my clients individual level.
I have a passion for learning and sharing knowledge, and originally qualified as a physics teacher. So it seemed natural to turn to coaching when I went freelance in 2002.
For me a good day is when I can offer the right technical advice, insight or minor adjustment to help my clients get out there and move themselves up the fleet.. and one where we have all had fun!”
RYA Coach of the Year
In 2006 I was honoured to be named RYA Coach of the Year after coaching the RYA Skandia Team GBR Paralympic Sonar Team to two successive World Championship titles.
Sailing CV
A brief summary of my sailing results.
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