We started an extra hour earlier than usual to get some races in as we lost 3 races yesterday due to the heavy weather. It was jsut like racing in Vancouver, light and shifty with current and tricky conditions. After 5 races in all kinds of conditions, the wind arrived. IT was terrific. After 5 long days practicing sailing in 20 plus winds, our sailors embraced the wind. Our entire team did amazing with Cameron winning the last race with Alex in second, Graham in 7th and Jack in 10th. Jake went in but made it without difficulty, Jim finished the race in style. Alex capsized 20 seconds before the start in the first race today after a huge and strong windshift hit his boat. That was a tough one to recover from. Cameron started off the day with poor starts in the middle of the line and after 2 of these starts, he change to start at the pin with clean air. It worked so well, everybody is for sure learning heaps.
We raced 6 races! Sam and Andrew were troopers as they worked so hard and long finishing almost all the races. Sam finished all, Andrew almost all.
We are looking forward to the last 4 races tomorrow, starting early again. Then we have to pack the whole trailer and the truck. We have 9 parents here so it should be just fine.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Opti's in San Francisco Training Update Day 2
Day 2
After a light air yesterday, we started off the day with a light but very strong current and back eddies all over day. It was an amazing experience for all the sailors when we finally made it to the windward mark and sailors were trying multiple times to get around the mark. After a few tries, practice makes perfect and all the sailors were comfortably understanding laylines with massive current.
After a couple of hours, the true San Francisco breeze showed up. It was a blast. We were practicing 720s and Andrew kept trying in the 20-25 knots of breeze. His determination resulted in improved 720s but also 3 capsizings.
The heavy wind gave us the opportunities to hike and surf. Our sailors became very comfortable with hiking, despite the pain and the ones who forgot their hiking pants at the hotel had to tough it out. At the end of the day, the whole group was going up and downwind, it was a great sight for the coaches. We stayed out an additional half an hour to surf extra waves.
Tomorrow we are training with 25 other OPtimist sailors from the bay and we are doing starts. It is a different skill to start with the current pushing you back 20 feet for every tack you do.
So far it has been a fantastic 2 days and we have 2 more days of training before the regatta starts.
Take care
Rob and Tine
After a light air yesterday, we started off the day with a light but very strong current and back eddies all over day. It was an amazing experience for all the sailors when we finally made it to the windward mark and sailors were trying multiple times to get around the mark. After a few tries, practice makes perfect and all the sailors were comfortably understanding laylines with massive current.
After a couple of hours, the true San Francisco breeze showed up. It was a blast. We were practicing 720s and Andrew kept trying in the 20-25 knots of breeze. His determination resulted in improved 720s but also 3 capsizings.
The heavy wind gave us the opportunities to hike and surf. Our sailors became very comfortable with hiking, despite the pain and the ones who forgot their hiking pants at the hotel had to tough it out. At the end of the day, the whole group was going up and downwind, it was a great sight for the coaches. We stayed out an additional half an hour to surf extra waves.
Tomorrow we are training with 25 other OPtimist sailors from the bay and we are doing starts. It is a different skill to start with the current pushing you back 20 feet for every tack you do.
So far it has been a fantastic 2 days and we have 2 more days of training before the regatta starts.
Take care
Rob and Tine
Opti's in San Francisco Training Update
Day 4 is often the most tiring day with already 3 long days on the water and sailors getting exhausted. This morning, the sailors went to Fisherman's Wharf and rode the cable car before we went on the water for a 2 hours session in 20-25 knots of breeze. THe improvements since Monday were dramatic and all the sailors could identify themselves how much they have learnt in 4 days.
The older group of the team with Cameron and Emily are setting the stage with strong commitment to focus and hard work. Emily is injured and might not race starting tomorrow, she has re-injured her wrist and is presently at the hospital to check it out.
The rest of the team has taken to all the training very well. The coaches are very pleased with the progress and we are not concerned about the results of the regatta, rather with the skill improvements and being able to successfully race in the heavy winds. Unfortunately, the weather and wind predictions are 35-40 knots for tomorrow, a bit much for even our team after such a great camp. Time will tell if this is going to happen.
The club here, St. Francis YC has been more than exceptional in welcoming us and the dock master told us today that summer has finally arrived when the Opti team from Royal Van comes for their one week of wind and current in San Francisco.
WE start racing tomorrow, 3 long days with some exciting racing ahead. Rob took pictures today which we are hoping to upload so they can go on the RVYC blog.
Rob and TIne
The older group of the team with Cameron and Emily are setting the stage with strong commitment to focus and hard work. Emily is injured and might not race starting tomorrow, she has re-injured her wrist and is presently at the hospital to check it out.
The rest of the team has taken to all the training very well. The coaches are very pleased with the progress and we are not concerned about the results of the regatta, rather with the skill improvements and being able to successfully race in the heavy winds. Unfortunately, the weather and wind predictions are 35-40 knots for tomorrow, a bit much for even our team after such a great camp. Time will tell if this is going to happen.
The club here, St. Francis YC has been more than exceptional in welcoming us and the dock master told us today that summer has finally arrived when the Opti team from Royal Van comes for their one week of wind and current in San Francisco.
WE start racing tomorrow, 3 long days with some exciting racing ahead. Rob took pictures today which we are hoping to upload so they can go on the RVYC blog.
Rob and TIne
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Delta Llyod Regatta 09
This years version was unusually pleasant most days, the first day of racing was the exception , with offshore stormy winds reaching over 30 kts.
The team that competed were Luke Ramsay, Abe Torchinsky, Ricardo Montemayer, Chris Tulip and Andy Wong in the Laser class,Isabella Bertold and Keamia Rasa in the Radial class.
Luke Ramsay ended up 2nd Canadian and 25th overall in a real world class fleet! Well done Luke.
Isabella was 23rd and had some real high points (a 2nd in the last race), Keamia Rasa was 25th overall.
The younger group of Rick, Chris and Andy had good moments thru the event and gained valuable international experience.
Overall a positive few weeks in the highest level of competition possible.
Next for us is training thru June in Preparation for the Laser Canadians held at Royal Van as part of the Waves Week.
Then off to Hood River for 2 events in July.
Isabella and Alex are working hard in preparation for the Youth Worlds in July, with Marcia MacDonald going as their coach.
Laser Results - http://www.hollandregatta.org/2009/tablecloth/results/results.asp?show=LASE
Radial Results-http://www.hollandregatta.org/2009/tablecloth/results/results.asp?show=LASR
The team that competed were Luke Ramsay, Abe Torchinsky, Ricardo Montemayer, Chris Tulip and Andy Wong in the Laser class,Isabella Bertold and Keamia Rasa in the Radial class.
Luke Ramsay ended up 2nd Canadian and 25th overall in a real world class fleet! Well done Luke.
Isabella was 23rd and had some real high points (a 2nd in the last race), Keamia Rasa was 25th overall.
The younger group of Rick, Chris and Andy had good moments thru the event and gained valuable international experience.
Overall a positive few weeks in the highest level of competition possible.
Next for us is training thru June in Preparation for the Laser Canadians held at Royal Van as part of the Waves Week.
Then off to Hood River for 2 events in July.
Isabella and Alex are working hard in preparation for the Youth Worlds in July, with Marcia MacDonald going as their coach.
Laser Results - http://www.hollandregatta.org/2009/tablecloth/results/results.asp?show=LASE
Radial Results-http://www.hollandregatta.org/2009/tablecloth/results/results.asp?show=LASR
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