420 Rutland training and Inlands

It's been a long time since my last post but here's something to read through these tough times from my last two sailing weekends.

On the 7th and 8th March there was some 420 training at Rutland. Me and Molly both said it was one of the best and most successful training weekends we've had. It was quite windy but that made it so much fun. Starting Saturday off we got into some training races and practised our own things in the boat. Our goals for the week were to practise heavy windy hoisting and a funny one but to have more trust in each other to keep the boat flat and more flow and chilled out when sailing. In the afternoon we worked on upwind flat and fast sailing, it was quite challenging as there were lots of capsizes going on and very gusty.

Sunday was too windy. To make the day better for all sailors we only took 2 boats out and kept on swapping over. We both kept on going in the boat with Haydn so we could get some good coaching and he could teach us both our separate things which helped me and Molly loads. Over the weekend we noticed a massive difference too in our sailing and how much we improved over the weekend. Many thanks too Haydn and Arran who helped us loads!

The next weekend was at Rutland again for the Inlands with a bit less breeze than last weekend (15-17knts). Last weekends training really made us realise how much we improved and we could see it in our sailing. Unfortunately I can't find the results from the weekend, but for me and Molly we were ok with our results.

As many of you know the CoronaVirus is spreading around massively so lots of sailing events have been cancelled. The 420 Youths and Springs have been cancelled along with lots of training but we are not too sure what's happening with the Worlds yet. As for Oppies the Worlds and Euros have been postponed and the Selections in May which were supposed to be my last Optimist event. Therefore
we don't know whats happening yet with all the sailing but hopefully we will back on the water soon , but I hope everyone is all safe and well. 

420 coached racing and my last Optimist National squad!

420 Coached Racing

Welcome to the new year! To start off 2020 me and Molly sailed the 420 coached racing at Datchet. It was a breezy weekend, but that made it more fun. On Saturday the wind was around 15-20knts. There were 4 styles of courses throughout the weekend and we sailed each one twice. The different courses were set up to help work on particular things in the boat. This helped us loads as it mean't we were focusing lots and kept on working on the different manoeuvre lots of times.
Sunday was the same racing format. It was harder on Sunday as it was more windy (20-25knts) but definitely kept us working hard. On Saturday we had 3 good races (12th, 15th,15th) but overall we didn't do the best as we hadn't had much coaching beforehand and it was windy. However we got lots of tips from the coaches.

Optimist National Squad

This weekend was my last national squad because I'm missing the next one as I'll be doing a 420 event.  We were training in Calshot and it was lush conditions. Saturday was 20-22knts and lots of chop. The focus for the weekend was lay lines and body movement over the chop. I got taught a new trick to help lift the front of my boat up in chop from Ollie which was really useful and gave a significant improvement to the speed of my boat.
Sunday was so fun! The waves were even bigger and the wind was stronger with the biggest gust of 35knts. I worked on acceleration off the line with the waves and tide. It was a great way to end my last national squad as I had loads of fun and learn't loads.
It's a goodbye for oppies now until May which is the selections and my last event! In the meantime me and Molly will be doing loads of 420 training and racing

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First national Squad camp, 420 End Of Seasons, 420 Lymington training and the 2nd National squad.

Kicking off the winter sailing was the first National Squad in Weymouth as a residential. Unfortunately the first day of the camp was too breezy to sail. So instead it was land drills, learning about the ways to make the sail flatter and the pros and cons of a flat sail and fitness tests. Then it was back to (not so great) PGL. Let's just say, not many of the sailors or coaches enjoyed the food.  
The second day breeze was tough. Very choppy and light. The focus was a fast flat boat and experimenting hooked and flat sails for light winds. 
Next day breeze was lush, 10-15knts. We looked at the correct seating positions for ourselves in the wind we had and scooping effectively off the start. The last day was pretty breezy but it was good to get in some windy training in 27knts. After a late start due to the wind we were finally out and getting in some good training. Lots of long upwind working on sailing and bailing quickly, body movement over the choppy waves and mainsheet controlling.

The 420 End of Seasons took place in Grafham. The past few times I've been to Grafham there's been no wind so hopefully there would be some this weekend. Typical; what a surprise, there was no wind. They cancelled it pretty early as we knew we wouldn't be able to get any sailing in. So to occupy our time we did a little bit of boat work and walked around the town. Sunday didn't look hopeful either sadly. Pretty much as soon as we got down there it was called off, so we packed up the boat and went home. Not much to talk about this weekend but we still had fun as always.

Due to no sailing at the End of Seasons, we really needed to get some sailing in. We went down to Lymington to do some training with Haydn and Mani as the coaches. Saturdays breeze was perfect for us (10-12knts). We worked on pole work, hoisting on reaches and downwind quickly; very productive.
On Sunday it was about 1knt in the morning which was really annoying as we desperately wanted to go sailing. Whilst we waited for the wind we did loads of boat work, making our boat in better condition. Thankfully the wind filled in! We focused on taking and the better technique to hoisting.

Back to the oppies. This weekend we were training in Draycote. The focus for the weekend was decision making. The wind was looking much better this weekend but very cold. On Saturday we looked at ways to spot headers and lifts and to know what the gust is going to do to you, lift or head you.
Sunday was even colder! In the morning we were working on pressure and gain features and in the afternoon there was lots of racing with the other squad.

It's been a great, successful year of sailing, lots of things to take into the future for 420's and oppies! To finish off the busy year is a national squad weekend taking place in Rutland, then a Christmas break and starting off the New Year will be another oppie squad.  #TheInsideEdge #Musto #BelieveItAchiveIt

420 winters and Optimist end of seasons.

420 Winter Championships:

Me and Molly on Sunday.

Starting off the winter sailing I competed in the 420 Winters with Molly. Saturday was a light wind day. We hadn't sailed together since the nationals so it was good that it was light so we could get back to grips with the boat again. After an hours postponement we were finally afloat. It felt so good being back in the 420 racing again, going out to learn and have fun, as we knew we weren't going to do well as it was a ranking and we're less experienced than everyone else. We got a 26th, 26th and a 23rd, nice and consistent.

Breeze on baby! Sunday was so windy. At no point did it drop below 20knts, all day it stayed round about 25-29knts. Super fun but scary. Today our goal was to keep the boat flat, find out what we need to work on in heavy breeze and just enjoy it. We weren't too fussed about where we finished, as it was so windy, we just wanted to survive the day. 

It was crazy, one of the best days sailing we've both ever had. The first race was really good, no capsizing or major muck ups and finished in 27th. Already we were so drained, sailing a 420 in heavy winds is so physical and uses lots of energy. The next race involved lots of swimming. A big gust hit and unfortunately we capsized. After a while (which felt like a life time swimming) we figured out both of us just don't weigh enough to get the boat up right. It was taking so long to get it up and we were freezing cold in the water, in order to get help we had to retire, but it was ok as we knew we wouldn't catch up with everyone else even if we did get the boat up on our own. Races 2 and 3 were really tiring. Me or Molly have never experienced racing in these conditions in the 420 before so we weren't used to using so much energy and muscles. No more capsizing though or big mistakes in either of these races, which was good and finished 27th in both races.

After being worn out from a good solid weekend of racing we were on our way home. It was so much fun experiencing those conditions for the first time in the 420 and we can't wait to race again!

Oppie End Of Seasons:
It was the final ranking event of the year. It was a very important event for me as it determined whether I would be staying in Optimists or not. If  I didn't make National squad then I might be out of oppies, so it could be my last event. Going into the event I was doing well enough in the rankings to just make national squad but it was close between the girls. 

Saturday was a very wet, light wind day. Rain all day and a max wind of 10knts, very challenging and frustrating conditions. The first race was a bit of a shambles (black flag start). I got caught out holding my lane off the start and finished 33rd unfortunately. The wind for the 2nd race had dropped and got a bit more choppy. i finished much better in the next two  races and got two 13th's.

Collecting my 3rd girl trophy.

Sunday's wind was very different. We had a bit of a postponement to start with because it was too windy. The forecast was for 25knts gusting 29 and due to pick up to 33knts. 

After a bit of a wait we the wind dropped a little allowing us to go out and race. It was quite challenging out there but really fun. There were big gusts and lots of shifts making the racing difficult. Unfortunately I got caught out at the start and rounded the windward mark in the late 20's but thankfully gained it back up to an 11th! By the time it was the 2nd race the wind had picked up to 35knts and we had to go in but as the first race of the day was a good result it was hopefully enough to make national squad. Overall in I finished 21st and 3rd girl. 

With no racing at the Inland Championships, the ranking and national squad place came down to just two events, the Late Summers and End of Seasons. Coming 15th at the Late Summers and coming 21st at the End of Seasons was enough to get me into National squad! I'm so happy I made it and can't wait to get in good winter training from it. My final rank was 12th overall and 2nd girl, which I am very pleased about after all the hard work. Here is a link to the 2019/20 rankings:

https://www.kbsuk.com/data/optimistiocaevents/data/results/2019/ranking/2020rankingos.html
#TheInsideEdge #Musto #Sailing 

420 Nationals and Late of summers

420 British Nationals

smiles before launch on day 1. 

Wow what a fun week. Starting off the transition to the 420, me and Molly competed in the 420 British Nationals. We were very lucky with the wind because as we're new to the boat we really needed light winds so we can practice. Our luck came true. Yay! The forecast was looking lush, very hot and perfect breeze from 5 to 10 knts. Perfection definition of champagne sailing - when you're learning!

On the first day we had help from Haydn learning how to rig completely and learn all the controls which were very helpful. For me and Molly we went out each day with no expectations in results and just to learn as much as possible ready for future. We knew we weren't going to do the best as we were really new and everyone else racing were much more experienced. We did our best and got two 40th's. Very consistent! In the evening it was the clash of clans social. I dressed up as an archer and Molly was the archer queen. We headed to the sailing club, had a nice bbq and met new 420 sailors.

Day 2, once again not much wind. But as it was so hot we had high hopes for a slight sea breeze. We were so excited for today because the breeze was perfect for us (10-12knts). But oh no. A little too eager on the first start and unfortunately our first black flag in a 420! It wasn't a good feeling. So after waiting for an hour until the race had completed we were finally back on the start line and ready to get racing again. Race 2 - not again. Whoops. Another black flag, 2 in a row! Now it was really getting to us. We wanted to go racing so bad and we we're bored so much from waiting around but we didn't want that to stop us from enjoying our racing time.

sun and spinnaker

So on to race 3. Finally we were racing! Coming up to the windward mark was so scary because we were beating Haydn and Will. Me and Molly were so happy but I don't think Haydn was haha. In the two races we did do we got a 36th and 41st.

black tie outfits

Day 3, bank holiday Monday, brought another long hot day of racing again. Both of us were pretty nervous for today as we really didn't want any more black flags. We were more careful on the line, making sure not to line up too high and just to actually get a full day of races in so we can learn as much as possible, even if that means taking a couple places back on the line. Today we had a 37th, 44th, 38th and a 31st.

In the evening was the black tie dinner party. After both getting ready in our dresses we headed to the sailing club for the big posh dinner. It was so much fun meeting new sailors and making new friends.

On the last day there was lots of waiting around! No wind at all. In the meantime waiting for the wind we rigged and went and chilled on the beach with Megan and Maya (our two friends sailing). As it was 30 degrees we decided to go swimming the sea and go paddle boarding which was so much fun. After a while the breeze finally filled in to about 5-10knts but super shifty! Unfortunately after a long postponement flag there was no racing due to how shifty it was.

It was one of the best weeks sailing I've had. I've learn't heaps and had so much fun making new friends and sailing a different boat. 

Optimist ranking ( Late Summers)

What a small boat! From sailing the 420 for a week to an oppie was very strange, for once I actually felt tall. As there was no racing in last ranking event it meant this one was even more important. On Saturday the breeze was so nice 13-15knts. But so shifty! If you didn't get the shifts right then you were messed up for the race as they were so big and important. On the first day I got a 10th, 6th and a 9th. I was really happy for the first day, not only did I not get any black flags but also my results were really good especially as I'm aiming for national squad as it's my final year of oppies.

Sunday has less wind (10knts). Again it was super hard because of the shifts. It was so gusty as well. One minute you're sat in the boat because it's really light and then before you know it, it's like 15 knot gust. My first race was an 11th which was good. But then a 34th and 22nd which was really bad. I didn't have the best start then got caught out by the shifts so it was very frustrating. Overall I finished 15th and 4th girl, so a very solid event! 

me collecting my prize.

Unfortunately now it's back to school :(. I've had the best summer ever though doing so much sailing and trying the 420, it's all been really good and I've enjoyed every bit of it! #Musto #TheinsideEdge

British Nationals 2019 and Lymington youth week.

British Nationals 2019.

Wow what an eventful week. Unfortunately we started the week off badly as when we were travelling down to Weymouth the tyre on the 420 trailer burst.  It was all a bit chaotic. It's supposed to be a 4 hour journey but it took 9 hours when we finally arrived in Weymouth. 

The first day's conditions were really good. The wind was 15-20knts and sun! My results were ok. We did 2 races and I got a 27th and 24th, nice and consistent though. Day 2 (Monday). The conditions on Monday were challenging, super shifty, choppy, 10-15knts. I had 1 good race which was a 15th, a 23rd which was good but then one ok race which was a 26th. On Tuesday it was super windy! Once we got down to the club all racing was cancelled for the day as it was 33knts gusting 43, so there was lots of waiting around. We listened to a talk from lots of professional sailors then me Rory, Molly and Henry all went off to Chesil beach to watch the rolling waves and get blown over by the wind. After that me Molly and Henry went off to the cinema with more of our sailing mates.

420 training in Weymouth

On Wednesday it was still pretty breezy (20-25knts). The qualifying series was finished and I made gold flight. I found the racing in gold flight much harder. We did 3 races, 2 bad 1 good. 37th, 41st and a 24th. In the evening me and Molly tried out 420 sailing with Tim Rush which was really good fun. Thursday's wind was much lighter, 9-10knts. I was especially worried about the last two days as I knew they were very light. It really wasn't my day. I got a 41st, 51st and 50th. I was quite upset with my results but to take my mind off it me and Molly went 420 sailing again. The last day was 12knts and choppy which didn't make the racing easy. Only 2 races on Friday. I didn't do the best (43rd,44th) but I just went out and enjoyed the last day. It was a great week, challenging conditions, may have not done the best but still enjoyed it as much as ever!

Lymington youth week 2019. 

Me and Molly downwind

This year in youth week me and Molly were sailing a 420. We were so exited as it was our first 420 event together but also very nervous as they are much different to optimists. Looking at the forecast for the week it made us more exited as all week was going to be 20-25knts. On Monday we got a 4th and a 7th. The 4th was good for a first time but the 7th wasn't the best. We got a 7th because we capsized and bent our mast very badly so we had to go in. Seeing the mast up closer was much worse. We were quite annoyed as that was our first time sailing the boat, nice and new then it bent and as we had to sail with it for the rest of the week and it would affect port tack. On Tuesday we didn't let the fact that we had a broken mast stop us having the best of fun. We went out and got a 2nd,3rd and 4th which was really good considering it was our first event together and that it was breezy. Getting to grips with boat was much harder than we thought. There was so much to learn but sailing the 420 gets me so exited for when we officially finish oppies and go into 420's. Unfortunately we lost quite a few split pins during racing so after sailing we went to the chandler and bought some new split pins and put them back on the boat.

 On Wednesday it was very windy, (25-27knts) this made us so exited! Because of how windy it was, being new to the boat and having a really bent mast, we did really well. Again we got a 2nd,3rd and 4th. Compared to an optimist you go so much faster and get lots of spray and salt in your eyes. Especially Molly as she kept on missing the trapeze and falling in as were laughing so much and lost our eye sight as there were so many waves in our face! On the way in the wind really picked up. Haydn and Oliver (my brother and Molly's brother) came behind us and taught us how to hoist the spinnaker whilst Molly on the trapeze. We surprisingly managed to do it but only for about 3 seconds as we lost our balance and capsized haha. But it was fun whilst it lasted. Thursday morning Haydn and Ollie taught us how to hoist the spinnaker properly and gybe with it as it was much lighter (10knts). We did a different series today as it was lighter. Yay finally we got a bullet! And we managed to get the spinnaker up with no problems and even gybe with it which was really good as we only learn't how to do it in the morning. In the first series we finished 4th and in the second series we finished 2nd with a 1st,4th and another 4th. 

This has been one of the best weeks sailing I've had! I've learn't so much in a week and much more learning to come. Me and Molly are both really proud of ourselves and can't wait to move into 420's. At the end of August me and Molly will be doing the 420 nationals in Hayling Island and then the late summers (optimist ranking event) in Draycote, so much more sailing to come!   #TheInsideEdge #Musto #Sailing  

Development team 2019 - 43rd Spinnaker International regatta, Tallinn

After one very long late night of travelling we finally arrived in Estonia. The next day we were all extremely tired from travelling but we didn't let that stop our training time. The condition's were very odd. The breeze was lush, 10-15knts and big waves. One minute it was very sunny and hot then came heaps of rain and dark clouds, but we carried on training and learning new things about the venue and boat handling. 

The development team 

We were staying in a huge hotel with many spars, swimming pools, salt chambers etc but the dinner option was very odd for us kids as it was stewed rabbit! Not my 'cuppa tea' personally. We had one more day of training and it was so hot! We woke up early so we could go to Tallinn city centre in the afternoon. The training was very good as we all learn't new things about the boat set up, fast positions and had some quick races with the Austrians. In the afternoon we went up a tall tower in Tallinn too see all the great views of the city, the sea and the old parts of the town. After that we went and had a look around the market trying new foods like dried horse which was very interesting. For dinner we went to an Italian restaurant and we had delicious pizza's. 

Now the stress began! It was the first day of the event. The conditions were great.  It was about 10-12knts and sunny, perfect! The whole team did so well, we all got top 20's in every race and I got a 10th and 11th. We were all so proud of ourselves and celebrated in the evening by going out to a fancy restaurant.

Day 2 was very slow. Not much wind at all ( 3-5knts). We were only able to do one race which I didn't do good in as I got a 37th because my start was pretty shocking. They did start a second race and I was very annoyed as me and Maya ( also in team GBR) were doing so well. We were both crossing the whole fleet which was such a good feeling but unfortunately due to the wind completely dying the race committee had to abandon the race and go in. After sailing we all went to the beach as it was so hot, played volleyball and went into the sea to cool off. There was lots of competitiveness. After volleyball we went into the best restaurant ever, it was over looking the sea and right on the beach. I had an amazing bowl of pasta. We got back straight away, well after mucking around in the supermarket with the coaches for ages ha ha, because we knew the next day was extremely windy.

Me and Jamie packing up the boats.

The breeze had arrived! It was so windy. After filling our faces with breakfast we headed down to the sailing club. Sails were flapping all over the place and everyone was getting very nervous. When I sailed out of the marina I started getting really nervous. The waves were huge and the wind was howling. All day it was around 26-33knts! I was so proud of myself. I had the best day ever. Not only did I go so well but sailing in that much wind may seem scary at first but at the end it's so fun. The results I got were 11th 12th and a 15th. I was so chuffed! After every race I was so worn out from hiking so much. After such a long day we headed in because the breeze picked up too much. Sailing in was the best thing ever. Surfing on the waves down and going as fast as ever was so scary but I could not stop smiling as I was so proud of myself for doing so well in that much wind and being consistent with the results. It was probably the windiest and waviest day sailing I've ever had and the best day sailing! For dinner we went out the the same Italian restaurant in the town square and after had another walk around the town and looked in some spooky gift shops, then went back to the hotel and packed.

It was sadly the last day. This has been such a good week and will be one to remember. Again it was a fairly breezy day with the wind at 15-22knts, so plenty of hiking again. We did 2 tough races. So far I was coming 2nd girl and really wanted to become first girl, so that mean't I had to try and beat the girl in first. Unfortunately in the first race I came 25th. My start wasn't the best as I lost my lane. In the second race the breeze picked up a little bit so that made it harder. All I was aiming for was a good start too end the week on a high. Yay! My start was so good, it was my best all week by far. I had such a good lane and was in clear air. I finished 10th in that race, although I didn't beat the girl in first I was still really happy with the week and my results.  

As we charted boats we had to take the whole boat apart which took a fair while but in the end we were able to get changed and head to prize giving, then said our goodbyes to our new friends we made and caught the plane home. All the coaches and sailors were really tired.

Some of the team in the weird gift shops.

Overall I finished 16th out of 208 and was third girl. I was over the moon with my results especially as it was an international event. I learn't so much and had heaps and heaps of fun, very sad the trip was over. There was lots of resting for the rest of the week then the West Kirby sailing club regatta at the weekend which i came third in. Next up on the 27th July- 2nd August is the British Optimist Nationals in Weymouth which will be lots of fun!

#Sailing #TheInsideEdge #Musto