Day after Optisprings
Got back at about 2am. Quite tired but had a lovely long lie in. Had a morning stretch out after the two weeks I have been away. Really lovely walk with my Mum along the beautiful sea wall!! Feeling good and getting wrist checked out tomorrow. Fingers crossed the rest and some physio will do the trick. Now onto school prep!! :)
Optisprings, Port Zelande - Day 2
Four races planned today. Wind was about 15 kts, forecast to build to low 20s at the end of the day. Got a 10, 2, 6 and a 7. Happy with that!! Today was all about going towards the pressure and getting to it first. Tighter racing today as it was not survival weather like yesterday. Thankfully, it wasn’t too windy today so my wrist was a lot better!! J Final result: 5th Overall, 3rd Girl and Top GBR boat. At the prize giving I got two really nice Optimist metal boat thing tro
Optisprings, Port Zelande - Day 1
First day of racing here in Port Zelande. Wind was up. Went down pretty early to rig up and register. Orange flight colour today. There were 6 flights. Had a short briefing and went out. The wind crept up all day to about 25-30 kts average and over 30 kts gusts!! Awesome conditions! First race I won. Great start to the series I thought!! Wasn’t sure if we were going to do another race as the breeze was seriously on! My wrist was hurting so much in the second race. I have no i
Day 2 of Training at Port Zelande
Went down to the yacht club to rig boat. Surprisingly, there was hardly any wind. So, we had breaky, briefing and decided that we should do boat prep in the morning and keep an eye on the wind. I got a lot done. Complete wash of boat inside and out plus all foils. Once everything looked shiny, I replaced all my old ropes and ties on the boat which was good to do as it looks like it’s going to be a windy event. All completely set and I also leant how to splice which is a reall
Day 1 of Training at Port Zelande
Light winds. Went down to rig quite early and there was no wind at all. Came back for a briefing and breakfast. By midday, the wind haden’t picked up and all the other teams had just come in. Nevertheless, our group went out and fortunately, the wind picked up to about 7 kts, just as we were coming up. Did a few free tuning runs and some downwind work. Looked at some sitting positions and then came in. For one of the little exercises our coach Matt, cut off one of our sail ti
Rotterdam Market - Day 9
Today Anneka wanted to show us the Rotterdam market. It was amazing and huge. Packed with shouting men at their stands- fruit and veg, fish, materials, clothes, gadgets. The lot. We bought some fruit and vegetables for the next event – Optisprings, and flowers for Annika- the man gave me a little pink flower which was sweet! Came back for lunch and our final shop for Optisprings and then we departed for Port Zelande where Optisprings were to be held. I have training tomorrow
Rotterdam Sightseeing - Day 8
Today I had my first lie in in about a week although we had to rush out of the static home before 10 am. Went to Rotterdam to stay with our family friend Anneka. Really lovely to see her! She took us on a tour around Rotterdam. I was so surprised about how massive it was and had no idea it was soo industrial. Literally. It was huge!! She took us through the center. After a couple of hours in the car we stopped at a place called Europort, just outside of Rotterdam. We had a de
Magic Marine Easter Regatta, Braassemermeer - Day 4
The final day of racing in my last ever Optimist Easter Regatta on Braassemermeer Lake. Race Committee only managed to get one race in today. Result: 52nd, not great! This was because I got a yellow flag (penalized) at the starting gun by the Jury. This meant I was dead last off the line so I was pretty pleased with myself to get back to 52nd!! J The wind then died out completely and at about 1500 the PRO called it a day. The event was over. My final result: 7th overall just
Magic Marine Easter Regatta, Braassemermeer - Day 3
Were afloat for 8 hours today!! Sailed 3 races today. We did one in about 2 kts from the NE, placed 17th, then waited ages before doing another two. Really testing when that happens, as you have to mentally get a grip and work hard to stay in the sailing mind set. Kept up my hydration levels, snacked, kept observing the track for changes. Before racing restarted, we spotted pressure down the track and were the first team to start our tuning runs (warm ups) before the start. A
Magic Marine Easter Regatta, Braassemermeer - Day 2
Potentially the last day of flights, before the fleet is split into Gold, Silver and Bronze. 2 races in 5-11 knots - it was quite light and gusty. Then the wind went left and increased to 10-15 kts - quite gusty and a lot of long left shifts. This meant that most of the gains were from having the option to tack off the start line and staying out of trouble. Many of the leaders today came from the pin end and tacked. Really tight racing and I learnt so much! Results wise, I ha
Magic marine Easter Regatta, Braassemermeer - Day 1
Kicked off with a Team GB briefing which will now happen each morning of the event before hitting the water and a debrief ach day after racing. Hot water, credit cards, sponges. The lot came out to try and get our Volvo Gill stickers off my oppie hull in order to replace with the mandatory Magic Marine event sponsor stickers. Finally sorted we went out training for the morning which was really productive. Finally first race kicked off in the afternoon. Wind was in SE directio
Day 2 of Training at Braassemermeer
Big bowl of porridge and scrambled egg for breakfast. Still a pretty breezy day with gusts reaching up to 20-25 kts. Was a great day on the water to get a feel for the venue. Quite choppy water. Did some racing with the USA team. After training, went for a short 10 minute shake down run. So lovely around the lake!! Forecast looking quite light for tomorrow. Can’t wait for our first day of racing as part of Team GBR!! :) #training
Day 1 of Training at Braassemermeer
Very windy day!! We had over 30 knot gusts! Pretty crazy weather! Only 3 of the whole team went out. It was fun but we only went out for half an hour to stretch our legs and blow away any cobwebs!! Hot chocolate at the yacht club was amazing!! Went swimming for about an hour. Loaded up with ‘pasta’ Bolognese for dinner and went to bed for an early night. Getting into bed was heaven. #training
