Its been quite a mix of weather this month with a trip to Marstrand with the RC44’s and then on to Garda with the 20’s.
It was my first trip to Marstrand and it didn’t take long to realise what a special place this was. We managed to arrive a few days early for a couple of days on the water training and mid summers weekend. What a fun weekend, great sailing and a fun social program.
Racing started on the Tuesday with the match racing. Very light and tricky conditions which caused some problems, we walked away with 2 wins from 6 races which isn’t great but a step forward again. The four days of fleet racing proceeded with some great sailing conditions. We had a slow start to the regatta really struggling to hold lanes but kept fighting on. On day three we won our first race this year and again on the final day with gusts of over 30 knots the crew did an amazing job to get us round the course first leaving us 5th Overall. We are making progress and getting better all the time, it was nice to be in the hunt in the final few races.
After a late flight back to the UK on Saturday night I got back to Weymouth at 4am. Up at 8 I was pretty excited to get out moth sailing for the final day of the UK National’s. After getting out to the race course I had a few problems with my ride height adjuster. I struggled to foil in the first two races, a bit the boat more my weight and the light winds! In the final race a solid 10-12 knots arrived and it was much easier to foil. Finally getting off the start line on the foils in the 70 boat fleet, I rounded 3rd and finished 4th which was a bit better for morale. Its a tough decision, I either have to loose a bit of weight or get some bigger foils to compete in the light stuff!
After a relaxing day at home it was off again, this time to Torbole with Stig for the 20s. It was a new venue for me, sailing at Torbole for the first time. Another great spot although I didn’t enjoy being on the water at 7.30 for the morning breeze.
In the first race after a 8.30 start the wind shut down as we approached the leeward gate in 2nd, race abandoned and back to shore to wait for the afternoon breeze. It was a tricky regatta with big place changes in each race, we did a reasonable job of fighting back to leave us with 2nd overall. Another good result for Stig that gives us the lead of the series going in to the final event and European Championships next month.

Time now for a few weeks at home, its gorgeous weather but no wind……..

Other images included with this entry..

It’s been a difficult few weeks with the passing of one of my closest friends. We had spent so much time traveling around the world together sailing but mainly having a lot of fun while growing up and then maturing. Bart was like a big brother to me, always looking out and helping me out when it was needed. An amazing guy that I will miss so much.

After a special send off for the big man I escaped to Italy for a bit of a break before heading to Elba for Act 3 of the Melges 20 circuit. Portoferraio was a beautiful spot with the winds not so beautiful, light and shifty conditions from the sea and then gusty and strong conditions from the mountains.

After a fourth in race one and then being clear of the fleet in second, round the bottom mark and rounding the next windward mark in the teens it was clear it was going to be a tough regatta.

The final day of racing was great for team Stig with two wins and a fourth to take the overall victory. It was nice to finally win a Melges 20 event after coming close a few times.

I’ve enjoyed a bit of time at home, filling my days with a bit of moth sailing and too much housework! I’m off to Sweden this weekend for the next leg of the RC44 tour with Team Ironbound. We still have lots to work on but I feel the team is getting stronger so hopefully the results will show that this time!