Just got back from my weekly session with Andrew Howell at the Body Factory (http://www.bodyfactory.org.uk).
When I first started dreaming about going to the GBR Nationals (originally as a crew), I realised that I needed to up my fitness, stamina and strength.
So I started with some general workouts at the local gym, and then in January 2014 I started regular sessions with Andy. He is not only a qualified physiotherapist and personal trainer, he has also represented GBR at international athletics as a hurdler. So he very much understands sports fitness. The sessions have been structured around the "rapid reaction" work that you have to perform as a dinghy racer, as well as general stamina and strength.
It has been a long journey so far. Every six weeks or so, the session gets varied. This keeps me "fresh" and focused on the next objectives.
Next week, the session will vary again, and will be the lead-in to the GBP Nationals that start on 2nd August.
Tuesday, 23 June 2015
Sunday, 21 June 2015
Tollesbury toil & triumph
The GP14 Southen Travellers meeting at Tollesbury was an object lesson in getting some things right and some things drastically wrong.
For the Nationals, the aim is to keep the former, and fix the latter.
The first race, we were so busy planning our first beat strategy that we missed the gun, and must have crossed the line last, ending up 9th out of 15, just behind Lesley Kay.
The second race, we had a blinding start, led for the first lap and ended up 3rd - highest position ever in an Open event.
The third race was a reasonable start, but a tactical error at the first mark meant that we were at the back of the fleet, ending up 11th.
As always - potential. But need to be consistent.
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Crash!
Not what we wanted. Involved in a GP14 boat-on-boat incident whilst racing this evening.
The annoying thing is that it was a “new members” racing evening, when everyone should have been more restrained.
The boat may be going to Tollesbury on 20th with sticky tape covering a hole.
The annoying thing is that it was a “new members” racing evening, when everyone should have been more restrained.
The boat may be going to Tollesbury on 20th with sticky tape covering a hole.
Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Maciej & Dennis at Southern Championships
Maciej Matyjaszczuk and myself chasing Richard Instone and Richard Ham during the 2015 Southern Championships in Chichester.
We were third at the windward mark, but ended up last out of 10 boats. So we have potential, but lots to learn.
Why take a GP14 to Barbados?
The simple answer - because we can.
In 2016, the GP14 Association will be holding the World Championships in Barbados.
Having been taught to sail (and race) Dinghies over the last few years, this is my challenge - take my own boat to the Worlds.
I’m 58, and started learning to sail in 2006 at the Welsh Harp Sailing Club, near Wembley, North West London.
I purchased 13941 in 2013, with the idea of using her for club racing, and maybe the occasional Southern Traveler event. In 2014, we went to Poole, Erith and Tollesbury. In 2015, we have gone to the Southern Championships in Chichester, and are booked into the UK Nationals in Brixham, in Devon.
2016 is when we plan to go to the World Championships in Barbados.
In 2016, the GP14 Association will be holding the World Championships in Barbados.
Having been taught to sail (and race) Dinghies over the last few years, this is my challenge - take my own boat to the Worlds.
I’m 58, and started learning to sail in 2006 at the Welsh Harp Sailing Club, near Wembley, North West London.
I purchased 13941 in 2013, with the idea of using her for club racing, and maybe the occasional Southern Traveler event. In 2014, we went to Poole, Erith and Tollesbury. In 2015, we have gone to the Southern Championships in Chichester, and are booked into the UK Nationals in Brixham, in Devon.
2016 is when we plan to go to the World Championships in Barbados.
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