Mara Stransky
Quietly intense. Driven. Passionate. Independent. An outlier.
These words best describe Mara Stransky, an Olympic sailor who has carved her unique path in the competitive sailing world. Her journey to the Olympics is nothing short of extraordinary, marked by perseverance, self-discovery, and an unyielding spirit.
However, the 2021 Tokyo Olympian falling short of winning the qualification for the Australian Sailing Team for the Paris 2024 was heartbreaking.
Fearless - The Accidental Olympian
I remember first seeing Mara and recognizing her potential at the ILCA 6 clinic. I asked how she ended up being in the right place at the right time.
“We were living on Fantasia, and we couldn’t sail that day due to the weather, so I went laser sailing. I ran into the Queensland Sailing Team group having a training camp, and the coach invited me to join,” she explained.
Mara Stransky's entry into competitive sailing was not predestined but rather an accidental encounter. Unlike many of her peers, who grew up in junior sailing programs and were groomed for the sport from a young age, Mara's introduction to high-performance racing was serendipitous. Her journey began later than most, but she made up for what she lacked in early exposure with raw talent and an insatiable drive.
Growing up and living on a boat from birth, Mara Stransky spent her childhood on the water. Her family lived on a self-built 50-foot catamaran, Fantasia, cruising the waters of Southeast Asia and Australia. It wasn't until she was 16, when her family arrived back in Australia, that they acquired a Laser for Mara to venture out on her own day sailing adventures.
They happened to be anchored off Manly Harbor, just outside Brisbane in QLD, while the Australia Sailing Team held a Laser Radial (ILCA 6) girls’ week-long clinic. One of the coaches saw Mara sailing her Laser and invited her to join the clinic. As the head coach of the QLD high-performance program, I observed and participated in the clinic.
Both I and the coaches saw in Mara raw, untapped talent. But one particular moment captured our attention. Mara came into a weather mark, whether knowing or not that she was on port tack, and whether knowing the rules or not, she faced ten other boats stacked up on starboard. At the mark, fearlessly, she rammed and jammed her way through, rounding the mark in first place amidst massive collisions. Not even looking back, she took off on the next leg.
At that moment, the coaches saw all they needed to see: fearlessness.
That was in 2016. Five years later, Mara was chosen to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she finished 14th. The highlight was her performance on the last day of the qualification series when she finished with a third and first for the day.
The 2024 Olympic Selection Disappointment
After her return from finishing fourth at Hyeres Week, I caught up with Mara to see how she was feeling after a disappointing outcome in Palma, the final qualifying event for the Australian Olympic team. Despite leading the event for most of the regatta, her undoing came with a black flag and a bad final race, dashing her chances of securing the Olympic spot.
Mara was very circumspect, stating:
"As always, I feel I could've improved. I'm disappointed because I feel like at each event, I made a mistake somewhere along the way, preventing my performance from being what I would've liked. I'm closer to achieving my desired performance, but it doesn't look that way on paper. I've learned much more from these trials than I expected, especially compared to the last time. It was very different this time, competing against other sailors and needing to medal at events to qualify."
When questioned about her coping with missing out on selection, she replied, "Surprisingly well, better than I anticipated. I've chosen to see the bright side of things. Despite the challenges of the past few years, I view them as a testament to my perseverance. Rather than being weighed down by fear of failure, I see them as stepping stones toward success. The goal of winning a medal remains unchanged; there's still work to be done, and I'm ready to tackle it head-on."
“I'll take some time out later this year, but my goal is still to medal at regattas and world championships over the next four years. There aren't many events this year, so it’s important to race at the opportunities I have left.”
Currently, Mara is back in Europe, fully immersed in her training regimen. She's training with Zoe Thompson, the 2024 Olympic representative, to help her prepare for the Olympic regatta. They recently participated in a thrilling Magic ILCA regatta on the Olympic waters, with Mara clinching an impressive 3rd-place finish. Her schedule also includes training camps with international teams and Zoe, all leading up to the grand finale at Keil Week to wrap up her season.
The Squad
The Australian ILCA6 Squad, comprising five sailors supported by two world-class coaches, sets the bar high as a model program. These sailors aren't just teammates; they're a tight-knit group pushing each other toward excellence. In Palma, the crucial final qualifier for the Olympic team, their hard work paid off big time. Three of them secured top-10 finishes.
Australian Sailing High-Performance Director Michael Blackburn has been following the young squad's trajectory and recognizes the hard work the group has put in this year. “The Aussie ILCA 6 squad have taken on a big program to gain experience in tough fleets,” Blackburn commented. “Experience is key; this fleet has carried all the 2020 Olympic medallists and all World Champions since 2011.”
Handling The Pressure
The pressure to excel is immense, particularly in the Australian Olympic Trials, where the bar is set incredibly high. As discussed in an earlier post, securing a spot on the Olympic team demands nothing short of outstanding performance. From what I understand, sailors had to achieve a top-eight finish in three pivotal events: the 2023 World Championships, the 2024 World Championships, and Palma. Meeting this standard would guarantee an Olympic berth unless other teammates also meet these results, and then it would go to a subjective decision by a selection panel. Unfortunately, Mara narrowly missed the mark at the Palma event by finishing 9th, just two points shy of 8th place. Mara’s point total in the three “qualifying” regattas was 36 versus 67 for Zoe. But the fact was the benchmark was not met.
When asked how she copes with the relentless pressure to perform and avoid burnout, Mara shared about the unique stress of needing results to secure funding. She reflected on her experiences at the 2023 World Championship, where, despite challenges like receiving an ill-timed yellow flag, she still managed to secure a top-10 finish and qualify the country for the Olympic entry.
However, the constant need to deliver can take its toll, sometimes leading to burnout. Mara confessed to feeling an intense urgency to prove herself after setbacks, which can be draining. Surprisingly, taking breaks isn't something she readily embraces; enforced downtime between events is particularly challenging for her to switch off from. Nevertheless, despite the demanding nature of her sport, Mara's determination to persevere remains unwavering.
What advice would she give young sailors aspiring to compete at the Olympic level?
“Find the reason why you enjoy sailing, as it will get you through tough times. Be as accountable as possible, knowing it ultimately comes down to you and your efforts.”
When asked what her life would be like if she hadn’t followed the Olympic path, Mara said, “I’d still be involved in sailing in some way, likely in bigger boat racing, as I've always lived on the water.”
This interview with Mara Stransky offers a fascinating glimpse into the journey of a dedicated and resilient athlete. Mara's story is one of perseverance and passion, from her serendipitous start with the Queensland Sailing Team to her relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of pressure and setbacks. Her insights into coping with stress, the importance of accountability, and her unwavering love for sailing inspire aspiring sailors everywhere. As she continues to navigate the challenges of her Olympic journey, there is no doubt that Mara will leave a lasting impact on the sailing world, whether on the Olympic stage or in the realm of big boat racing.