FOURTH PORTUGAL GRAND PRIX ROUND 2

Arriving back in Vilamoura again earlier this month, I felt good about the fitness block I had just finished and was looking forward to my first European regatta of 2022. Unfortunately, on the third day of the Fourth Portugal Grand Prix Round 2, I suddenly began to feel unwell, and in the end, I withdrew from competing due to COVID. 

I did manage to sail the first two and a half days before any symptoms kicked in. The first day brought moderate conditions. It was critical to have good starts in the sizable but mostly less competitive fleet as the leaders pulled away quickly. My "big line starting" was off, and I had poor starts in both races on the first day, having to battle back each time to mid-fleet. A disappointing first day, to say the least, but a good opportunity to identify what things need some focus prior to the major regattas this spring. 

RACE 1 - You can see me come into view on the left hand side of the screen. Sail number CAN 215019.

On the second day, the wind was much lighter in the 5-7 knot range and dying to zero throughout the day. Luckily our fleet was scheduled first and managed to get a race off. As the breeze died, there was a persistent right shift. I had a better start and correctly picked my side, but I did not continue all the way to the lay line, costing myself 5 places or so at the windward. I finished that race in 13th.

Obviously this regatta didn't exactly go to plan, but I felt I was making progress and have identified the areas I need to strengthen.

I am feeling better, but am currently resting and allowing myself the time needed to fully recover before beginning my return to training. Once fully recovered, I look forward to getting back in shape and ready for the next regatta, which, if all goes well, will be the Europa Cup in Pollensa, Spain.

Congratulations to my fellow teammate Luke Ruitenberg who finished up the regatta in 10th place.  

RESULTS HERE

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HEADER PHOTO CREDIT: OSGA.PHOTO

2021 VILAMOURA COACH'S REGATTAS - ROUNDS 1 & 2

After the European Continental Qualifier, I stayed in Vilamoura to train and compete in 2 more coach's regattas at the same venue. The first regatta ran for four days, the second week of May. We managed eight races in moderate wind, but I didn't have my best showing, finishing 30/33 boats. The second regatta came two weeks later after a week of hard training. By the time the second coach's regatta began, the area had begun to heat up, bringing light winds. I definitely started to get a feel for the wind pattern when it got lighter. I sailed my best regatta yet against most of the top guys going to the Olympics, placing 14/50 and beating a few pretty good sailors.

RESULTS

RESULTS

Unfortunately, because of the light and shifty winds, we only got four races off. Still, I was pleased with my performance, especially on the first beats - rounding the windward consistently around 10th except for my drop. While I certainly have a long way to go to reach my goals, this might be the first flicker of light at the end of the tunnel for performing at this level.

PHOTO: Joao Costa Ferreira - Osga.photo

2021 VILAMOURA EUROPEAN CONTINENTAL QUALIFICATION

Racing has wrapped up here in Vilamoura. Six days and 12 races later against a worlds level fleet (minus competitors from Australia and New Zealand) was challenging for sure. Unfortunately, I missed my goal of qualifying for the gold fleet after the first 3 days of racing. Undeterred, I put this aside and worked my way up to 10th in silver fleet, to finish the regatta 80th overall out of 139 boats. While I fell short of my goal, this is a significant improvement since I was at a competition of this level in Australia over a year ago. The hard work I’ve been putting in is starting to pay off.

Over the 6 days of sailing, we saw 2 different wind directions and varying strengths. The first 3 days were from the south-west with 15-18 knots, and 10-12 knots on the 4th day. It then shifted to the south-east for the final 2 days of the regatta bringing stronger 17-22 knot winds and massive swell.

This video illustrates conditions on the final two days.
VIDEO CREDIT: Vilamoura Sailing

Congratulations to Spain and the Netherlands for qualifying their nations for Tokyo 2020.

RESULTS
PHOTOS: Joao Costa Ferreira - Osga.photo

2019 LASER SENIOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Duro Marina - host for the 2019 Laser European Championship

I have just returned from the hardest and longest event I’ve ever competed in. The Laser Senior European Championships just wrapped up in Porto, Portugal this past Saturday. Six days of racing against the best in the world was an incredible learning experience. From frustration in light winds over the first couple days to gruelling 23-minute upwinds in 20 knots in the last few the event offered every challenge imaginable.

I finished 127 out of 162 competitors and 5th Canadian. I was very pleased to have my best races come on the last two days in the heaviest winds of the event. This gave me confidence in my ability in the conditions I don’t generally favour. This event made me realize how much stronger these European fleets are and how much more time I need to spend starting next to the best to beat them.

RESULTS

Good starts were my goal and they were key to doing well. This photograph captures one of my starts in the qualifying races. (middle of photo - sail #215019)