When I sailed Iain Percy's Star

On Friday I will be competing in the Optimist Selection trials, a four day event at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy.

Sailing at the venue for the 2012 Olympics is amazing and I'm lucky that I have been there twice for Zone Squad training and once for the South Zone Championships last year.

The most awesome experience I've had in Weymouth so far though is the day I had a go at sailing with Iain Percy in his Star. Their boat was so much fun to sail!

In September 2008, we were at the Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth and I was very lucky because my Dad was Sponsorship Manager at Skandia and I got to meet lots of Olympic sailors. I had only been sailing on my own in an Optimist from August so to get a go at sailing with an Olympic gold medallist at to helm the Star was epic! Here's a photo of me sailing with Iain which I still look at for inspiration!

Me sailing with Iain Percy.

I've met Iain loads of times, the first time was when I was just a few weeks old at Cowes Week so Mum and Dad tell me but sailing with him was one of the best. I wouldn't mind getting a go on the Artemis AC45 next!!! I also took Iain into my school after the Beijing Olympics with his gold medal as my show and tell after the summer holidays - that was very cool too and my friends were so jealous that I got to wear his gold medal.

Hopefully the Selection Trials in Weymouth this weekend will be just as good.

RYA South Zone Squad final weekend

Sadly, last weekend was my last RYA South Zone Squad training session of the season. 

The Zone Squad has been awesome. I have learnt loads from the weekends and I will definitely miss going. I would like to say a very big thank you to my two coaches, Clare Hall and Tom Haynes and to all of the coaches! I feel a much better sailor now; mentally and physically and my techniques are a lot better. I can't wait for the Selection Trials and Inland Championships which are coming up soon to see how much I've improved and if I'm any faster. 

The other great thing about the Zone Squad is all the new friends I've made, we've all had a really good laugh together. Here is a photo of the whole Squad. We had to line up in size order so I am first (or last) on the left as I'm the smallest!

RYA South Zone Squad 2013

We have had six weekends of sailing in the Squad over the winter, most of which have been in freezing cold and windy conditions, so last weekend it was really great to be sailing in light winds and warm sunshine for a change. On the Sunday, I was even out of my drysuit and back in to wetsuit, hikers and shorty gloves. Roll on summer.

I also got to use my brand new North Sail's D Zero 6 for the first time. I've never had a brand new sail before. It was so crisp and a great shape and I definitely felt like I was sailing faster with it.

Next up is the Selection Trials, Dad says there is no pressure on me and its a great opportunity to get some experience for the future. I know what he means but I'll still be going out there to win!

Meeting Sam Davies

Awesome news that Sam Davies has been selected to be part of the girls team for the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race!! 

A few weeks ago my Sister, Freya, and I were lucky enough to go and see Sam on the training boat in Southampton and have a good discussion with her about my sailing and stuff. It really inspired me to sail around the world as it seems great fun. I would like to do this after I have won the Olympics and the America's Cup! 

Sam showed us around the boat which was amazing. It was very pink which my sister really liked. Down below was incredible. I didn't realise how hard it is for the crew to sleep or that when they tack they have to move everything to the other side of the boat! Makes hopping across my Optimist seem a lot easier. 

Sam gave me lots of information and I definitely learnt loads from her!! At the time we couldn't say anything about our visit as the training was secret. 

Me on Sam's boat when I was  2 yrs

I first met Sam when I was 2 years old when she was competing in La Solitaire du Figaro on the Skandia boat. My Dad worked for Skandia then but I don't remember the trip, but Sam always comments about my sailing on Facebook so it was great to see her. 

Here are some photos from the visit and also a short video my sister made for a school presentation she gave about about meeting Sam. Freya made the video with her iPod the wrong way up which is why it all looks a bit narrow!

Me learning what all the
buttons on the wheel do

Me testing out the bunks

Sam's lovely pink boat

Freya loved the pink steering wheel

Sam Davies looking very happy

Easter Holiday's - Optimist & Pico Sailing and More

I have had a really busy Easter doing loads of Optimist sailing and other water activities.

It started off on the first Sunday of the holidays, at my local sailing club, Royal Victoria Yacht Club.  It was the open race of the season, the Commodore's Cup. We had a mixed fleet start so I was up against Squibs, Lasers, RS's on the start line which was fun. I was one of the first boats off the start so all the winter training must be paying off. The Optimists had a different course from everyone else. I won the racing by a country mile,  despite getting the course wrong at one point, which secured me a Trophy!!

From Monday through to Friday I was at UKSA, a watersports activity centre in Cowes, with a bunch of my friends doing lots of activities such as: sailing, kayacking, raft building, Easter Egg hunts etc. It was great fun. Obviously I enjoyed the sailing the most but it was great to be out on the water doing other stuff as well!!

Crossing the finish line to win

On Sunday, I went down to Gurnard Sailing club for some Pico racing with my friend Lily. I was her guest helm for the day as she wanted to get her revenge on her brother who had beaten her the week before. AND we definately did that. We beat all the other Picos on the water including some adults with racing mainsails and we won the slow handicap class!!! It was fun to be racing a different type of boat and to go sailing with someone else. HAPPY TIMES!

The winning team with matching drysuits 

Me and Lily being briefed by Lily's Dad

On Wednesday I started some Oppie training at Gurnard with all my friends which finishes on Friday and then I'm straight into more sailing in Lymington! HECTIC!!!!


On Wednesday my little sister Freya had her first go at sailing in her (my old) Optimist on her own for the first time. She was really good. Holding the tiller properly, sitting on the side of the boat and everything. I was really proud of her and pleased to see her out on the water. I hope she loves sailing as much as I do.

Freya winning!

Awesome Optimist sailing from Freya

Great technique

One other good bit of news, We've ordered my brand new North Sail which should arrive soon. I can't wait to get it. I'll have it in time for the Selection trials in Weymouth which is my next big event.