Team members agree that this year's squad is closer and more spirited. Also, the cooperation among skippers and their crews has been better than in past years.

"Although it may be in the self-interest of a skipper to hope another skipper doesn't do well so that he can substitute," Schumann said, "there seems to be more of a concern for the team than for the skipper and his crew."

"There has to be a tight relationship between the skipper and crew because of the psychological nature of he sport," said Kurland.

Many Crimson sailors emphasize the importance of sailing psychology.

"Last year, we just had a pessimistic attitude, and this hurt us," Wagner said. "We were also under-confident."

"To sail fast you have to have the right attitude," Burnes said. "You need to prepare yourself mentally. It's really a personal thing.

"Sailing is different from other sports because it's so intensely psychological. So much goes on in saling that it is almost impossible to control, like wind changes."

But with its pessimistic attitude left blowing in the wind, the Crimson is gearing up for better weather--and better sailing--in the spring.

"We're even more psyched for the spring season," said Burnes.