You would not expect that learning freediving would factor that highly in the arduous training undertaken by professional sailors, but the physical performance manager for the US team in the America’s Cup believes it all helps to get to the peak of fitness.
Craig McFarlane compiled a tough mental and physical training regimen for the sailors on Oracle Team USA, which incorporated everything from brain games and weightlifting to freediving.
McFarlane believes that the freediving training helps aid the team members’ decision-making, and means they will not panic as much, and their heart rates won’t go so high.
He also thought that the breathing exercises and lung expansion in freediving assists the sailors with keeping calm and in control when things get hectic in the prestigious America's Cup.
