Sail Melbourne concluded just over a week ago, and I ended up fourth. It was a disappointing result for me. My lack of training was alarming evident at times, which created areas of weakness that need to be addressed in the coming weeks as I prepare for Miami Olympic Classes Regatta. It doesn't feel like my weaknesses are glaring, just a product of taking a substantial break from laser sailing since the games, and hopefully can be rectified quickly.
It always amazes me how the subtleties of laser sailing compound to make such a dramatic impact on your overall performance. Being one second late starting your acceleration can mean the difference between 1st and your drop race. So now it is time to get back on the water spending a substantial amount of time doing incredibly repetitive training focusing slow speed maneuvers, and practicing tack and cross drills.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sailing Update
It has been a busy last couple of months on the sailing front. I took about a month off after the games to sort my life out, and figure out what I want to do, and then back into the thick of it.
The farr 40(Transfusion) I race with has been doing well so far this year. We had a great start to the season winning the first event of the season in Port Stephens. This was followed up by another win at the Pittwater regatta a couple of weeks later. Unfortunately, we couldnt keep the streak alive at the CYCA regatta, and ended up 3rd. The next regatta on the program is the Rolex regatta, which starts tomorrow out of the CYCA. It is one of the more important regattas on the schedule down under, so I'm sure there will be quite a few teams fired up for this one. Hopefully all the racing will be offshore, as Sydney ferries seems to have it in for Tom Slingsby(Transfusion's tactician).
I have also started doing a bit of etchells sailing this year. Tom Slingsby has invited me to join his etchell program leading into the 2009 Worlds in Melbourne. We have now qualified for the worlds, and are putting plans in place to have a successful worlds program(need plenty of gybe set practice!). I have also done a bit of fill in sailing at regattas, racing two days at the Milson Silver Goblet Regatta on Sydney Harbour, and a day at the NSW Etchell State, where the boats finished 5th and 6th respectively. This has been a great experience, and has really improved my trimming as I am very new to this boat.
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to call tactics at the NSW J24 States. The team on board Kaotic spent a fair bit of time preparing the bottom(a fair bit of growth on it to say the least), but by the time we put her in the water, she was ready to race. Both days of racing were fresh to frightening. The RC could only manage one race on the first day before it got too windy, and racing was called off. The following day started out fresh, and built from there. The wind was gusting into the high 30's and we managed 2 races before being postponed and seeking shelter in one of the many coves around Sydney harbour. Just when we thought the regatta was going to be called off, the RC managed to sneek the required fourth race in to complete the series. It came down to the last race for the championship, and we ended up taking it in the end, after a bit of a mach race with code violation.
The final regatta I have competed in over the last two months was the Sydney International Regatta(SIR's), which finished up two days ago. I was a bit nervous about my preparation going into the event, as I had only sailed a laser the four days preceding the event since the Olympics. I knocked off most of the rust relatively quickly, and had a really good battle with Javier Hernandez throughout the event. By the time the last day came, we had amounted quite a big lead over the rest of the competition, and spent most of the day attacking each other as the points were very tight. It came down to the last race, and whoever finished in front would win. After a prestart duel, we had a small split up the first beat, which was enough to have me come out ahead at the first weather mark. Unfortunately, Javier was pushing it on the first run, and capsized, which ended our battle for the championship prematurely, resulting in me winning SIR's for the second year in a row.
The farr 40(Transfusion) I race with has been doing well so far this year. We had a great start to the season winning the first event of the season in Port Stephens. This was followed up by another win at the Pittwater regatta a couple of weeks later. Unfortunately, we couldnt keep the streak alive at the CYCA regatta, and ended up 3rd. The next regatta on the program is the Rolex regatta, which starts tomorrow out of the CYCA. It is one of the more important regattas on the schedule down under, so I'm sure there will be quite a few teams fired up for this one. Hopefully all the racing will be offshore, as Sydney ferries seems to have it in for Tom Slingsby(Transfusion's tactician).
I have also started doing a bit of etchells sailing this year. Tom Slingsby has invited me to join his etchell program leading into the 2009 Worlds in Melbourne. We have now qualified for the worlds, and are putting plans in place to have a successful worlds program(need plenty of gybe set practice!). I have also done a bit of fill in sailing at regattas, racing two days at the Milson Silver Goblet Regatta on Sydney Harbour, and a day at the NSW Etchell State, where the boats finished 5th and 6th respectively. This has been a great experience, and has really improved my trimming as I am very new to this boat.
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to call tactics at the NSW J24 States. The team on board Kaotic spent a fair bit of time preparing the bottom(a fair bit of growth on it to say the least), but by the time we put her in the water, she was ready to race. Both days of racing were fresh to frightening. The RC could only manage one race on the first day before it got too windy, and racing was called off. The following day started out fresh, and built from there. The wind was gusting into the high 30's and we managed 2 races before being postponed and seeking shelter in one of the many coves around Sydney harbour. Just when we thought the regatta was going to be called off, the RC managed to sneek the required fourth race in to complete the series. It came down to the last race for the championship, and we ended up taking it in the end, after a bit of a mach race with code violation.
The final regatta I have competed in over the last two months was the Sydney International Regatta(SIR's), which finished up two days ago. I was a bit nervous about my preparation going into the event, as I had only sailed a laser the four days preceding the event since the Olympics. I knocked off most of the rust relatively quickly, and had a really good battle with Javier Hernandez throughout the event. By the time the last day came, we had amounted quite a big lead over the rest of the competition, and spent most of the day attacking each other as the points were very tight. It came down to the last race, and whoever finished in front would win. After a prestart duel, we had a small split up the first beat, which was enough to have me come out ahead at the first weather mark. Unfortunately, Javier was pushing it on the first run, and capsized, which ended our battle for the championship prematurely, resulting in me winning SIR's for the second year in a row.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Games finished up a couple of weeks ago, and the whole thing has been an amazing experience. While I had planned to have done better, I was very pleased with the comeback I made after a less then ideal start to the regatta. Having had a bit of time to digest what has happened, and looking back, I would have hardly changed a thing from a preparation standpoint.
Going into the event, I realized that there were going to be lots of ups and downs; however, I dont think I was completely prepared for craziness of the Olympics, which I think is the downfall of a lot of first time Olympic racers. The racing had several moments that turned it on its head, and the number of distractions that are not normally there(both on and off the water) were staggering. My coach and I both thought this games was particularly bad from a distraction standpoint, however, Olympic veteran Andy Geritzer (2004 silver medalist), assured us that all of this was quite normal.
It was a bit of a shock to finish the Olympics, and left many of the sailors saying, "what now?" I certainly felt this way, as the abruptness of the end certainly dawns the shocking reality of the real world. Gone are the days spent training and logistical planning. Instead, it is time to figure out what to do next.
At this stage, my plan is to keep sailing as much as possible. There is a busy circuit down under, and between Farr 40 and laser racing I should keep myself relatively busy. It is great to finally have a break from the intensity of racing internationally, so I think I will use this opportunity over the next couple of months to branch out into different things and challenges.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank all my sponsors and supports who have helped me get this far. In particular, I would like to thank the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, PJ Phelan Foundation, Canadian Athletes Now Fund, BC Sailing and the Canadian Yachting Association as without their support, I would not have been able to sail full time, and have this amazing opportunity. I would also like to thank Zhik sailing clothing, Hudsons Bay Company(HBC) and Kaenon sunglasses for their support. These companies produce fantastic products and I encourage you all to support them. Lastly, I would like to thank all the individuals who have helped me throughout this journey, along with people who provided support and encouragement along the way. Unfortunately, there are far to many to list, but I would like to extend a huge thank you as without your help, I wouldnt have gotten this far.
Going into the event, I realized that there were going to be lots of ups and downs; however, I dont think I was completely prepared for craziness of the Olympics, which I think is the downfall of a lot of first time Olympic racers. The racing had several moments that turned it on its head, and the number of distractions that are not normally there(both on and off the water) were staggering. My coach and I both thought this games was particularly bad from a distraction standpoint, however, Olympic veteran Andy Geritzer (2004 silver medalist), assured us that all of this was quite normal.
It was a bit of a shock to finish the Olympics, and left many of the sailors saying, "what now?" I certainly felt this way, as the abruptness of the end certainly dawns the shocking reality of the real world. Gone are the days spent training and logistical planning. Instead, it is time to figure out what to do next.
At this stage, my plan is to keep sailing as much as possible. There is a busy circuit down under, and between Farr 40 and laser racing I should keep myself relatively busy. It is great to finally have a break from the intensity of racing internationally, so I think I will use this opportunity over the next couple of months to branch out into different things and challenges.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank all my sponsors and supports who have helped me get this far. In particular, I would like to thank the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, PJ Phelan Foundation, Canadian Athletes Now Fund, BC Sailing and the Canadian Yachting Association as without their support, I would not have been able to sail full time, and have this amazing opportunity. I would also like to thank Zhik sailing clothing, Hudsons Bay Company(HBC) and Kaenon sunglasses for their support. These companies produce fantastic products and I encourage you all to support them. Lastly, I would like to thank all the individuals who have helped me throughout this journey, along with people who provided support and encouragement along the way. Unfortunately, there are far to many to list, but I would like to extend a huge thank you as without your help, I wouldnt have gotten this far.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Laser Europeans Wrap Up and Games Thoughts
The Europeans finished up about a week ago, and as usual, I figured that I should write my delayed post regarding the event.
Overall, I was quite pleased with how the event went, and ended up 8th overall. I stumbled a bit on the last day of actual racing(last scheduled day was called off), with a 17, BFD.. The conditions in Belgium were not the expected conditions to be seen in China, but still presented many scenarios that could occur at the games. Like China, there was plenty of current, which challenged many sailors coming off the start line, or getting around the weather mark. It was also nice to practice in a bit of breeze, as there is a good possibility that we will see at least one day of racing in 15+ knots in Qingdao (going off the previous two test events).
I've found the last couple of months pretty amusing watching everyone starve themselves down to China weight. They might be laughing last, but at this stage, I am very happy that I am heading to the games feeling confident in every condition, and not having to pray for one wind strength or another. My coach and I have stopped believing the weight that people have said they are, and have made up another method of testing peoples weight- how soon their feet hit the hiking strap. I suspect a few a sailors in the fleet have amended their 'official' weight to try throw people off.
As the games have been approaching, I've been reflecting on my past seasons in Europe and what it is going to be like racing in China. I was quite amused the other day when juxtaposing my expectations during my first trip to Europe in 2003 to my present expectations, as back then I would have been happy to finish in the top ten at a major grade one once in my career, whereas this season, if I have been out of the top 5 it has been a tough event for me. However, heading into China, I know that a top 5 or even 10 is going to be a difficult result to attain, as there are so many good sailors racing there. At the start of the season, I thought that the defining factor at the games will be psychological, and throughout the season, it has only been re-enforced. I think the quest for the Qingdao 'magic potion' has been in vain, and in the end, it will come down to performing the fundamentals consistently well.
I head off to Qingdao in six days time, and am really excited about going there, and racing. I am sure at the conclusion of the games, I will look back and realize the mistakes I made in my preparation, but going into the Olympics, I am very pleased with my program over the last 6 months. It is absolutely frightening to think that the games are almost here, and to say that I am nervous is a bit of an understatement.
Overall, I was quite pleased with how the event went, and ended up 8th overall. I stumbled a bit on the last day of actual racing(last scheduled day was called off), with a 17, BFD.. The conditions in Belgium were not the expected conditions to be seen in China, but still presented many scenarios that could occur at the games. Like China, there was plenty of current, which challenged many sailors coming off the start line, or getting around the weather mark. It was also nice to practice in a bit of breeze, as there is a good possibility that we will see at least one day of racing in 15+ knots in Qingdao (going off the previous two test events).
I've found the last couple of months pretty amusing watching everyone starve themselves down to China weight. They might be laughing last, but at this stage, I am very happy that I am heading to the games feeling confident in every condition, and not having to pray for one wind strength or another. My coach and I have stopped believing the weight that people have said they are, and have made up another method of testing peoples weight- how soon their feet hit the hiking strap. I suspect a few a sailors in the fleet have amended their 'official' weight to try throw people off.
As the games have been approaching, I've been reflecting on my past seasons in Europe and what it is going to be like racing in China. I was quite amused the other day when juxtaposing my expectations during my first trip to Europe in 2003 to my present expectations, as back then I would have been happy to finish in the top ten at a major grade one once in my career, whereas this season, if I have been out of the top 5 it has been a tough event for me. However, heading into China, I know that a top 5 or even 10 is going to be a difficult result to attain, as there are so many good sailors racing there. At the start of the season, I thought that the defining factor at the games will be psychological, and throughout the season, it has only been re-enforced. I think the quest for the Qingdao 'magic potion' has been in vain, and in the end, it will come down to performing the fundamentals consistently well.
I head off to Qingdao in six days time, and am really excited about going there, and racing. I am sure at the conclusion of the games, I will look back and realize the mistakes I made in my preparation, but going into the Olympics, I am very pleased with my program over the last 6 months. It is absolutely frightening to think that the games are almost here, and to say that I am nervous is a bit of an understatement.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Europeans-Day 2
Day 2
The wind today started out at about 8-10 knots, and built slowly throughout the day to finish with gusts up to 18 knots. The swell was similar to yesterdays, which made for some enjoyable downwinds.
Overall, I had an average day(4,7). I made quite a few tactical mistakes in both races, which cost me several points. However, I was lucky to have a bit of a speed edge downwind and reaching, which really saved me today. I always have mixed feelings about days like today as, on one hand, I kept myself in contention, but on the other, I know that I could have easily had two top 3's again. Racing continues tomorrow, and the rumor is for lighter wind tomorrow.
The wind today started out at about 8-10 knots, and built slowly throughout the day to finish with gusts up to 18 knots. The swell was similar to yesterdays, which made for some enjoyable downwinds.
Overall, I had an average day(4,7). I made quite a few tactical mistakes in both races, which cost me several points. However, I was lucky to have a bit of a speed edge downwind and reaching, which really saved me today. I always have mixed feelings about days like today as, on one hand, I kept myself in contention, but on the other, I know that I could have easily had two top 3's again. Racing continues tomorrow, and the rumor is for lighter wind tomorrow.
Monday, July 14, 2008
European Championships-Day 1
The first day of the European Championship has now ended. It was a great day on the water with 15 knots of wind, sun, and nice waves. I had a great day to finish with a 3,1. I'm not too sure what place I am in, but I have been told I am tied for second.
In the first race, I started a couple boats down from the RC. It was an ok start, apart from someone to weather pulling the trigger a bit early and bearing off into me. Unfortunately, I didnt see who it was. I sailed up the middle for the first half of the work, and then made a switch to the left at the top to round the first weather mark in around 10th. I snuck by a couple of boats on the top reach, and then a few more on the run. On the run I used my speed to sneak by a few more boats. A few got past up the next work, but they were just in front around the top. I past about 5-6 on the next run, and then hung onto 3rd until the finish.
I had a great start in race two about a third up from the pin. I started just above one of the bigger British guys who was footing hard in the first race. After the start, he cleared out the boats to leeward, and I cleared the boats to weather so we both had good lanes out left. We pinned it out there, and after quite some time, he tacked and crossed. I tacked shortly after, needing to duck one other boat from the right, and then sailed free for the rest of the work to rount the top in second.
I snuck by the leader on the top reach, and dove low on the run, but forced my positioning too much, and lost one boat on the run. Another boat got past me on the next work. I promptly past him at the start of the run, and then linked some great waves to close on the leading Croatian, just getting inside at the bottom mark. We maintained our positions on the reach, and up the last short beat we were neck and neck. He split immediately around the bottom mark, and then ducked me when we converged again. I tacked back on the port tack layline, and converged with CRO. I thought I might make it accross, but it wasnt worth the risk, so I elected for the duck. I shot around his transom(a bit close for comfort-I had about 1cm between his transom and bow). I immediately cracked sheet to go into low mode to gain separation as I knew he would flip onto my hip and try to pin me. I created the leverage needed, and then flipped back on starboard tack lay to cross and take the race.
In the first race, I started a couple boats down from the RC. It was an ok start, apart from someone to weather pulling the trigger a bit early and bearing off into me. Unfortunately, I didnt see who it was. I sailed up the middle for the first half of the work, and then made a switch to the left at the top to round the first weather mark in around 10th. I snuck by a couple of boats on the top reach, and then a few more on the run. On the run I used my speed to sneak by a few more boats. A few got past up the next work, but they were just in front around the top. I past about 5-6 on the next run, and then hung onto 3rd until the finish.
I had a great start in race two about a third up from the pin. I started just above one of the bigger British guys who was footing hard in the first race. After the start, he cleared out the boats to leeward, and I cleared the boats to weather so we both had good lanes out left. We pinned it out there, and after quite some time, he tacked and crossed. I tacked shortly after, needing to duck one other boat from the right, and then sailed free for the rest of the work to rount the top in second.
I snuck by the leader on the top reach, and dove low on the run, but forced my positioning too much, and lost one boat on the run. Another boat got past me on the next work. I promptly past him at the start of the run, and then linked some great waves to close on the leading Croatian, just getting inside at the bottom mark. We maintained our positions on the reach, and up the last short beat we were neck and neck. He split immediately around the bottom mark, and then ducked me when we converged again. I tacked back on the port tack layline, and converged with CRO. I thought I might make it accross, but it wasnt worth the risk, so I elected for the duck. I shot around his transom(a bit close for comfort-I had about 1cm between his transom and bow). I immediately cracked sheet to go into low mode to gain separation as I knew he would flip onto my hip and try to pin me. I created the leverage needed, and then flipped back on starboard tack lay to cross and take the race.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Warnemunde-Day 4
Day 4.
Going into the last day of Warnemunde, I was in second on 13 points, and Jean Baptiste was leading on 7 points. Given that he was only counting top 2's, I didnt think there was any chance of catching him for the overall title. It was pretty breezy, and I thought the best I could do was to close the gap.
In the first race of the day, I started a bit down from the boat end, and punched out on the boats around. The breeze did a small flick right, and I held out waiting for the breeze to come back. I sailed into a bit of pressure on the left, and then tack back towards the main bunch. Several boats on the right had sheared off me while I had headed out left, and I was crossing the course in about 10th. I snuck by a few guys, but lost a bit of distance on lead group to round in 6th. I had a quick top reach to round the bear away mark in 3rd. I snuck by one more on the run, and had taken a pretty big chunk out of the leader.
After rounding the bottom gate, I flipped onto a starboard tack lift, and sailed for quite some time with the leader just ahead and on my hip. Eventually it knocked, and I came back at him. I took his transom and then sailed for about 10 boatlengths, and tacked back. We had quite a large lead at this stage, and I wanted to stay close. He soon tacked back, and took my transom. I flipped again on his hip. I misplayed the shifts, and we knocked heavily. Matt Coutts, who was quite a bit back, had played the right, and it worked beautifully, as he crossed both of us on a big righty. I rounded the top in 3rd, and managed to sneak by James Burman on the run to hold onto second. After I finished, I noticed that Jean Baptiste was back in 6th, which had opened up an opportunity for me, as his lead had taken quite a hit, and was down to two points.
Race 2.
My plan of attack was to start near Jean, and put a bit of pressure on if I have the chance. We both started about 1/3 up from the pin, with about 2 boats in between. I am not a big fan of going slow to attack, but went into a slightly higher mode, and pinched the two guys off above. I was then in Baptiste's line, so I put my bow down to try and extend. I put almost 5 boatlengths on him over the next couple of minutes, and looked to be in a strong position for the race win. The guys to weather were quite far behind, and the most threatening guy(to leeward), were in my window.
Eventually, Baptiste tacked away. I thought the breeze was going to go a bit further left, so I hung on a couple more boatlengths before tacking. Baptiste was in my window at this stage, and the breeze continued to shift left. I rounded the top mark in about 5th, but thought I could get by the guys in front with a bit more offwind speed. I rounded the bottom in 1st, and saw Baptiste was quite far behind. I did my best to herd the fleet up the next work to make it difficult for Baptiste to make a gain. In the end, I won the race, and also locked up the event.
I am now in Belgium in lead up to the Laser European Championship. This will be the last event for me before racing in China.
Going into the last day of Warnemunde, I was in second on 13 points, and Jean Baptiste was leading on 7 points. Given that he was only counting top 2's, I didnt think there was any chance of catching him for the overall title. It was pretty breezy, and I thought the best I could do was to close the gap.
In the first race of the day, I started a bit down from the boat end, and punched out on the boats around. The breeze did a small flick right, and I held out waiting for the breeze to come back. I sailed into a bit of pressure on the left, and then tack back towards the main bunch. Several boats on the right had sheared off me while I had headed out left, and I was crossing the course in about 10th. I snuck by a few guys, but lost a bit of distance on lead group to round in 6th. I had a quick top reach to round the bear away mark in 3rd. I snuck by one more on the run, and had taken a pretty big chunk out of the leader.
After rounding the bottom gate, I flipped onto a starboard tack lift, and sailed for quite some time with the leader just ahead and on my hip. Eventually it knocked, and I came back at him. I took his transom and then sailed for about 10 boatlengths, and tacked back. We had quite a large lead at this stage, and I wanted to stay close. He soon tacked back, and took my transom. I flipped again on his hip. I misplayed the shifts, and we knocked heavily. Matt Coutts, who was quite a bit back, had played the right, and it worked beautifully, as he crossed both of us on a big righty. I rounded the top in 3rd, and managed to sneak by James Burman on the run to hold onto second. After I finished, I noticed that Jean Baptiste was back in 6th, which had opened up an opportunity for me, as his lead had taken quite a hit, and was down to two points.
Race 2.
My plan of attack was to start near Jean, and put a bit of pressure on if I have the chance. We both started about 1/3 up from the pin, with about 2 boats in between. I am not a big fan of going slow to attack, but went into a slightly higher mode, and pinched the two guys off above. I was then in Baptiste's line, so I put my bow down to try and extend. I put almost 5 boatlengths on him over the next couple of minutes, and looked to be in a strong position for the race win. The guys to weather were quite far behind, and the most threatening guy(to leeward), were in my window.
Eventually, Baptiste tacked away. I thought the breeze was going to go a bit further left, so I hung on a couple more boatlengths before tacking. Baptiste was in my window at this stage, and the breeze continued to shift left. I rounded the top mark in about 5th, but thought I could get by the guys in front with a bit more offwind speed. I rounded the bottom in 1st, and saw Baptiste was quite far behind. I did my best to herd the fleet up the next work to make it difficult for Baptiste to make a gain. In the end, I won the race, and also locked up the event.
I am now in Belgium in lead up to the Laser European Championship. This will be the last event for me before racing in China.
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