Maggie Shea has witnessed a surge in Midwestern sailors, many of whom grew up learning on lakes with unpredictable winds that give them a unique perspective on…
Maggie Shea has witnessed a surge in Midwestern sailors, many of whom grew up learning on lakes with unpredictable winds that give them a unique perspective on the sport.Shea grew up playing with her cousins by tipping over boats and swimming underneath. She drove to regattas packed in her parents' green Suburban with a boat tied to the top. And she laughs every time someone comes to Chicago and stares in awe at the sight of Lake Michigan, thinking it looks like an ocean.
"In areas you can sail year-round, you don’t have such a hustle and bustle on the docks when the summer is good," Shea said. She went on to continue her sailing career at Connecticut College. Upon graduation, she launched into the professional sailing world, joining forces with a former opponent who is now her longtime partner in the sport, Stephanie Roble.
Apart from the competitive side, Shea said the two are supportive of each other and have grown to learn a lot about each other. She also said they try to laugh as much as possible.Shea and Roble compete in the 49erFX class of sailing, meaning their races are 30 minutes long in a 4.9-meter boat with a light platform made specifically for speed.
Shea said that to be a great sailor, you need a lot of physical strength and explosive power. Now, leading up to the Games, she is training several hours a day, both in the water and in the gym.
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