Skip to content

The Naked Truth About Sailing

An army of top photographers participated in the Body Issue project. We have to assume Steven Lippman’s task – capturing Tunnicliffe’s winning form in rough waters – was one of the most challenging assignments.

© 2012 ESPN Steven Lippman

For generations sailing industry promoters have been trying to figure out how to interest the general public in our sport. Today’s edition of ESPN magazine may help. In this annual Body Issue, top athletes from a diversity of sports are artfully pictured in the buff — including Olympic sailor Anna Tunnicliffe.

"It’s okay to stare," says ESPN’s website. "That’s what The Body Issue is here for. Each year, we stop to admire the vast potential of the human form. To unapologetically stand in awe of the athletes who’ve pushed their physiques to profound frontiers. To imagine how it would feel to inhabit those bodies, to leap and punch and throw like a god. To… well, gawk. So go ahead; join us." 

In an ESPN interview with Morty Ain, the 5’6", 146-lb gold-medalist, who is now 29, explains why she agreed to pose: "I want the world to see sailing as an athletic sport. A lot of people think it’s a nice cruise around the bay, cocktail in hand, gentle wind, sunny conditions. But racing is physical and aggressive. And we go out rain or shine."

She shares insights into her success: "The trick to sailing is figuring out how to relax as many muscles as you can, any that don’t absolutely need to be used at that moment, to conserve energy. You’re working hard, and your heart rate is up, but you have to think clearly so you can see what the waves are doing, read the winds and position yourself against your opponent. You try to give your body breaks. You relax your throat so you can breathe more normally, or you put the line in the other hand so your forearm can relax. Sometimes you rotate your legs, but generally you need both legs to make the boat work. But when I say relax, I mean five seconds max."

We salute Tunnicliffe’s spirit and her courage to bare it all for the glory of her sport. The special edition goes on sale today, so check it out — if you can find one. With the finely chiseled bodies of Slovakian tennis star Daniela Hantuchova, New England Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski, New York Knicks’ center Tyson Chandler, the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team and others, it’s sure to be a sellout.

Leave a Comment




The Vic-Maui race had a scenic start. © Andrew Madding / Bow Shot Productions As the Vic-Maui Race fleet are passing San Francisco Bay’s latitude (at 128 to 132 degrees longitude), they’re beginning to swoop south-southwest.
Within the southbound cruising community there’s been a lot of chatter lately about a new Mexican regulation which supposedly requires that "sea visas" be obtained in advance by all vessels heading south.