A bit of a catch up!

Long time no see! I'm late checking in as I have been doing lots and lots of 420 training and a few events. It started off in Helensburgh, Scotland (a week after the Optimist Nationals) with the Scottish Open and 420 National Championships which was a weird trip.

I thought Scottish weather was pretty much the same as English and that it was just a stereo type however I was proved wrong! The day we arrived was warm, sunny and pleasant. Then no word of a lie it rained for everyday from then on and by rain I mean it poured down. Miserable. However sailing wise it was awesome. A good 15knts everyday which was really good practise for William and I as we are quite a light pairing. Neil Marsden and Tim Rush (two top coaches were also up there) which was great for us. However mid way through the event we did encounter a problem... our boat leaked- like big time leaked. We would get back in and not be able to pull the boat up the slipway. In the first race of the day we would be bouncing along the waves but by the last race we would struggle to get over the waves and would just end up going through them! However overall it was a successful event.

Since then we have been doing loads of training so we can get up to a competitive level. We've had up and down results with a slightly disappointing Autumn champs however a great End of Seasons where we were up with the top guys and fighting to be top junior boat. Because the 420 is a new boat for us we've been focusing so much on boat handling (the likes of tacking and gybing) that we forgot skills like tactics, strategy and starting. The point at which you can focus on strategy etc is the point in which you become a world class 420 sailor. 

2018 is a big year for Will and I. Our goal is to make it into youth squad by the end of the year which is a big ask but we think it's possible. We've got a new boat which is going  really well. We've done a few training sessions already this year which have mostly been in heavy winds. We're getting much better at this. The number of capsizes is really down, we're doing well upwind and really starting to get the hang of using the kite in the breeze. There's lots of training still to be done but it's so much fun having new challenges and learning so much all the time. Our first big event is the Spring champs in March, so it will be interesting to see how we're getting on.

Outside of the 420 I've been doing some Oppie coaching helping out with the North Zone squad and later in the year I'm racing in one of the West Kirby Sailing Club teams in the Wilson Trophy team racing event which I'm really excited and honoured to compete in. Oh, I've also got my GCSEs this year so having to do lots of schoolwork and revision too!

Thankfully Musto has been hooking me up with the best kit so I'm ready for this busy year of sailing ahead of me. I recently ordered the foiling thermohot impact steamer which is other wordly! It's so warm but still flexible and usable which I love as it doesn't feel like I'm wearing loads of clothes. It's a good buy which I recommend for anyone. I also got a stacked toolbox for Christmas which is awesome!

Some of my new Musto buys for 2018

My mint toolbox

The end of an Optimist era!

Wow, what a brilliant last event. The Optimist Nationals 2017 was probably the best one yet. I went into the event not worrying too much about the result but ending an era well. And I sure did. 

The last squad chat

It was at Weymouth so we stayed in the big house we normally do. Once again we had Jamie Cook staying with us because he wins best when he stays with us so we're clearly his lucky charms!!! ;)  It was a windy week which made the event a bit more enjoyable and fun apart from 2 days when we couldn't sail because it was too windy. I had a really good set of results with only one result outside the top 10 in 13 races. But I think what made it most fun for me was being able to see and say goodbye to my amazing friends. 

Winning in a race on my last day

Overall at the event I finished 5th and 2nd Brit which got me quite a few trophies. My new family member Jamie Cook won the event again because he was staying with the Sewell's! 

My grandparents came down from Tuesday to Friday which was lovely because due to our new house move to Cheshire I don't get to see them so often. We carried on our nationals tradition of Chinese on the last night which once again was delicious. 

The face of a happy man!

So now that Oppies are over, bring on 420's. I am sailing with William Heathcote who has become one of my best friends through Oppie sailing. We have a lot of work to do over the winter to get up to speed and start competing at the top level starting next week when Will and I are up in Scotland for the 420 nationals. Then back down to Lymington for a week of 420 sailing. Wish me luck!

I would just like to say a massive thanks to some people who have helped me so much over the last seven years of Oppie sailing:  Musto and Nick Houchin (for the lovely kit), North Sails, Winner (for the awesome boat), The Heathcote family, The Cook family, The Evans family, Alan Williams/Sarah Williams/Tom Haynes/Kat Colvin/Vagelis Atzemian/Claire Chapple  and all the other coaches who've helped me, Will King, The Ellis family and particuraly Cordelia Ellis for helping me to start sailing and becoming an massive inspiration for me ('win low, lose high' I still remember). IOCA UK and all the volunteers who run the events, the RYA And then most of all my grandparents and parents and sister for supporting this great life and just helping with absolutely everything!!

Proud dad taking a few to many photos

The World Champs 2017 - what an amazing experience

What an experience!! The World Champs was amazing!!! An experience I will keep for life. Fun racing, hot and friendships. What more could you want?

The squad

It all started off on a very boring 18 hour air trip but it was well worth it. I remember stepping outside in Thailand for the first time. There had just been a rain storm (first of many to come) so when we stepped outside it felt like the hot air was trying to knock us back into the minibus. The heat was crazy!!! 

The hotel was amazing. I was in this massive room with Jamie Cook and Will Pank. There was a balcony, mini fridge (very useful), mini freezer, separate bath and shower and a butt hose!! The hotel had amazing pools which were all connected. Perfect to slowly drift around in for post racing chilling.

Our first day was a rest day. We had a nice lie in and went to visit some cultural stuff like a big Buddha. We then went swimming and chilled out.

The big Buddha

Views

The training days

We had three days of pre-event training to help us to familiarise with the venue. I've never really understood the importance of pre-event training before, so going into the training I was a bit sceptical. However it turned out to be very important.

For the first day we did some individual work like checking over our rigs and boats and just getting into the groove of optimist sailing in the sea of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. On the second day we raced against other countries (Canada, Finland, Australia,Netherlands). This was useful as we could see just how important the tide was. The tide was so strong that at one point Mathias Capizzano, the event photographer, had to move the mark for us just so that we could get around. The third day consisted of a short morning session sailing before a storm blew in and then boring measurement, which actually for once didn't take too long. 

The hotel!

Wednesday consisted of an unplanned rest day because the plan was to go out for a morning training session then do the practise race afterwards. However wind wasn't in our favour so we spent all morning waiting on shore and then did a very tedious light wind practise race.  We then had a nice rest and prepared for the 1st racing day!

The racing days

The first day of racing was weird? I was shaking on the start line but managed a gnarly start and found myself in the top 10. But a bad second beat resulted in a 23. After first race blues I got into my stride and sailed a solid race getting an 11th. After the first day my thought was that it was easier than I expected. The second day was my best day getting a 7th and a 17th. I believe I got these results because I was less nervous. The final day of the qualifying series was pretty pants for me and the whole team in general. It was one of those days where on the sail back in you just say to yourself; "what was I doing?". However I still made gold fleet being in 52nd place overall so all's good!

Ready to race with Musto

Next on the agenda was 1 or 2 days of team racing. The structure is every team sails on the first day. If you lose two in a row you are out of the competition. If you win 3 in a row you are through to the 2nd day. If you win,lose,win,lose you go into a pool based on points where one team comes out. If you lose,win,lose,win you are through. Got it!!! We managed to get through by winning 3 in a row. However the day wasn't good for me because I had to come in after 1 race because of sea sickness and sun stroke. Luckily though Kieran Young came in for me and did a superb job. The second day consisted of a round of 16, quarter finals,semi finals and the final. As an underdog team I feel proud to say we got through to the quarter finals! We fell out to China who went on to come 2nd so overall the team sailed very well considering we hadn't practised much and we all loved every second of it. Also the bonus was we had the afternoon off. All's well that end's well!

Pretty much a celebrity

Now the fleet racing was about to get serious. Gold fleet. DUN DUN DUNNNN!! The trick for me was about just thinking about the big picture. Theoretically I should have come 52 every race so any place higher is a bonus. I cannot describe how much of a buzz you get when you are sailing around with the best 70 odd sailors in the world! A surreal experience and definitely one I will not forget for a long time coming! I got a 47,59 and 25th which looks rubbish on paper but is actually ok. The final day of racing was abandoned due to lack of wind. I threw up again. And that was it. The Optimist World Championships 2017 done and dusted and I came 52. I would like to thank Sarah McGovern (Coach), Kat Colvin (Team Leader) they were awesome, all the parents and my grandparents for making the trip possible, IOCA UK for their support and organisation. And Musto for my brilliant kit. 

This is how the team got on :

Will Pank= Gold fleet 19th

Haydn Sewell=Gold fleet 52th

Callum Davidson Guild= Silver fleet 8th

Kieran Young= Silver fleet 67th

Jamie Cook= Bronze fleet 37th

My time in oppies is almost up just one event left. The British Nationals next week. I'm sure I will see some of you there!!

On last thing - check out Kat's video from the event
 

Heading off to the Optimist World Championships

So the time has come!! I leave for the Optimist World Championships in Thailand on Thursday and I am absolutely buzzing.

My realistic aim for the event is to get into gold fleet but obviously I would love to win it. You never know if the right, prepared Haydn Sewell turns up anything could happen. I have mixed feelings for the event- a crossover between excited and nervous. To be fair who wouldn't be nervous when you are racing against 280 of the best optimist sailors from 64 countries from around the world (biggest Worlds there has ever been). But excited because this might well be one of the best experiences of my life and I will get to meet some old friends I've met at sailing events in other countries and make loads of new ones.

We arrive in Thailand on Friday and have a rest day to get over the flight. We get our hands on our charter boats on Saturday then it's training for a few days to get used to the local conditions. The Opening ceremony is on Wednesday 12 July and the racing starts the next day through to Thursday 20 July. In the middle of the event there's a couple of days of team racing too. Then we fly back on 21 July which is my birthday. So loads of sailing to be done over the next couple of weeks.

The event is hosted at the Royal Varuna Yacht club in Pattaya (near Bangkok). We're staying at a 5 star resort. I can't even describe how nice it is, but you can take a look here if you like! (Enjoy the music!!!)  Average temperature is 27-30 degrees with a 28 degrees sea temperature and light to medium winds. If all else fails at least I will get a nice tan!
I've got all my new Musto Thermo cool and Thermo light kit ready and can't wait to use it as you don't get many chances over here.

There should be live tracking on the website if you want to watch but it's a bit boring watching lots of coloured dots move slowly about your screen. You can find out all about the event and follow the results at the event website and on their facebook page 

Now I just can't wait to get out there, get sailing and have a great experience. 

Easter 2017

Freya and I rocking the New Musto Range

WOW- what a fun sailing packed Easter it's been. It all started a few weeks before Easter when Freya and I were lucky enough to get a new sponsor ; MUSTO!!!!! I cannot explain how pumped I am with this new sponsor! Their new dinghy range is amazing. It is warm, comfortable and really stylish. I would like to thank Nick Houchin and Will King for making this deal happen and look forward to being a Musto ambassador along with many great names (the likes of: Ian Walker and Sam Davies)

The first event of Easter was Opti Springs set in Port Zelande - Netherlands. It turned out to be an amazing yet disappointing event. We stayed at the Center Parks surrounding the port, which of course meant lots of swimming, with my good friend Jamie Cook.

The first day was 15 degrees but no wind. We had a boring postponement on shore until midday. Luckily though the sea breeze kicked in in the afternoon which gave us two races. I got a solid 6th and a disappointing late teens. At least we could go swimming after sailing though!

Our beautiful view from Center Parks of the Marina

The next day brought 20 degrees but no wind. Despite the lack of wind the race committee launched us on time and managed to get the first start off. However nobody made it to  the windward mark before the race was abandoned. From then on the rest of the day was bobbing about on a rib and chilling with my friends in the baking heat. Eventually after 4 hours of floating they sent us ashore. However this meant we had only completed 2 races and 3 races were the minimum for the series so the event was abandoned. At least it was a good holiday!

The next event was the Braassermermeer Optimist Easter Regatta. This event was 4 days long set over the Easter weekend. I have been to this event a few times before so my main goal for the event was to simply improve my position. Between Opti Springs and Braass we had 2 days of rest and 2 days of training. On the second rest day went for a 35km cycle with our  friends; the Cooks and the Davidson-Guilds. The dutch bikes are so easy and relaxing to ride! 

Our Brass cycle

The first day of racing started in the afternoon which meant we had a nice lay in. We had a solid 10 knots for the first day so we were able to knuckle done 3 races. But unfortunately that meant we were in at about 6pm! I had a solid 3,5,4 which was a nice and a consistent start to the regatta. 

The next day brought 20 knots of fresh wind. I was able to get a 3,1,1,24 which I was over the moon about. I really feel that I have finally proven myself in the wind! After the second day we got split into Gold, Silver and Bronze fleet. I was in Gold fleet. This meant the racing was about to get a whole lot harder. 

On the podium at Brass

Over the next two days I managed to still stay somewhat consistent with 6,11,16,2,18,32,7. In the end I came 3rd overall out of 200+ sailors! My friend Jamie Cook came 2nd and Callum Davidson-Guild 5th. Overall a very solid regatta and a great Easter and lots of fun on and off the water.

Beasting it at Brass