The field now gets split into Gold Fleet with Henry and Jesse, Silver with Travis, Ryan, Emma and Else. Georgou makes it through to the Junior Gold fleet.
Update 02 August 2011 pm Henry Daniels showing determination on day 2. Great photo! Update 02 August 2011 am
Coaches thoughts:
The current changed during the course of the race. Before the start there was a strong flood tide, which I measured in a South West direction. By the time the racing got off, the current was steady. The effect of current during the race and start was nil. I’ve gone over issues of current with the sailors and I will remind them when it is likely to make a difference to their races.
The weather was overcast with midlevel rain cloud, which played a small role in the wind direction and strength.
The wind started off as a shift between 190 and 210 degrees, but with very gradual oscillations. It dropped steadily throughout the day and as it did, the oscillations became more apparent - as well as differences in wind spead between puffs and lulls. It’s hard to defend against this - and there were drastic changes to get position in the fleet. Jessie gained from the right hand shift, moving middle of the fleet up to 19th in his flight.
The pattern seemed to be that when the wind died, it went to the left - and as it increased it went to the right. Which would mean that in the lulls the sailors should be on port tack and that in the gusts, they would normally be on starboard tacks - unless other boats blocked this. They are probably doing this intuitively, but it will be good for them to be aware of the pattern. Similarly in the tune up race in the rain squalls, the wind would shift a bit to the right and afterwards go back again.
As the races were finishing off, the current started to build again in the ebb direction which flows NE. By this point most boats were finished. Yogi had quite a good start and was happy with his height, but felt he lacked a little bit of speed. He also felt he lost on the reach and gained on the run - which was a common comment about the rest of our sailors. The Junior fleet started first.
Our sailors have got into the morning routine nicely, waking up at 7 a.m. , going for a run on the beach and a stretch – doubling up as a weather check – followed by breakfast, packing and travel - to arrive at the club at 9 a.m. . This allows enough time to rig and prepare for a 9:45 launch, followed by current, speed, wind and startline checks in time for a 10:45 warning signal.
Morning All,
I sent you all pictures of the start this morning and yesterday. Wow seeing that many boats all going out together was just amazing. I know there was very little wind, but it is extremely well organised, with none of the flapping and panicking that we usually have on the shore.
The sailors go down to the launch site, they then get permission to launch. Thereafter they gather out to sea then move as a group nearer the course. There’s very little chance that our sailors could miss a start. They all come in much the same way and after the race, everyone is given a plate of pasta.
We’re just back from a beach braai or barbeque where the sailors were encouraged to play rounders with some junior sailors. They chose rather to hang around talking to some new American friends, sharing and giggling about our language differences. Just saying aluminium causes much laughter. They were also keen to teach everyone about Braai-ing not barbeque-ing. I roasted two chickens, made some salads and bought a few Walsh lamb chops for the braai. After all their big talk. our boys disappeared down the beach with their gang, leaving Ricky and me to braai.
Even though the race results were rotten our sailors all came off the water smiling and keen to go out again tomorrow.
Travis: says it was terrible – way to light _ and impossible to sail in that weather.
Jessie: reckons that the race was slow and shifty.
Henry: It was tough sailing, and starts were surprisingly crowded.
Georgou: It went fine, the Americans were very fast!
Ryan: My sailing was good – great actually! The last bit I messed up a bit and went to the wrong side when the opposite side had a huge lift – it was just unlucky …
Emma: it was Okaaay … there were nice people on the water I finished with an Irish person
Ricky says that this if the first time he’s ever seen this happening. If the race officer believes that the positions are already established at the back of the fleet with time limit approaching and position changes unlikely, they drive past you with a W flag. This then becomes your finish position.
Jen and Allan Williams have been amazing and drove over 2 hours to fetch us and hang around the airport for ages while the airline looked for the sail and then drive us most of the way home…. They are lovely welcoming people as are the rest of the people we’ve met here.
Oh I wish I had had a camera when the boats were unpacked from their boxes. They were all in awe of these brand new fresh oppies. Racing will start on Monday and the kids have had today and yesterday using their new boats.
Firstly – you’ve all got lovely children. They’re a pleasure to have with me. You probably don’t know this but they all know how to clean up a kitchen and make their beds.
We’re staying in the bottom two floors of the flat and we really are comfortable. The VAN (big big van) that I’m driving is a bit of a mission on these little roads but we all fit in fine and have more than enough space to carry all our gear back and forth.
I’ve turned on the heating in the flat so that we can dry our hiking pants and other gear - it worked a treat last night.
We had counted on being able to eat packed lunches from the club but they really are less than adequate and very expensive, so we’ve decided to make most of our food at home. Your children are all eating what I would normally feed my family including lots of fruit. By the way they all eat salad and finish a mountain of food – they are all fine.
None of my Vodacom internet connection stuff is working here and the club have just turned on their wireless for us. From now on I’ll be able to send you some regular updates.
I’ll send you photo’s tomorrow. The children should be coming of the water now.
Jen and Allan Williams have been amazing and drove over 2 hours to fetch us and hang around the airport for ages while the airline looked for the sail and then drive us most of the way home…. Theyare lovely welcoming people as are the rest of the people we’ve met here.
Oh I wish I had had a camera when the boats were unpacked from their boxes. They were all in awe of these brand new fresh oppies. Racing will start on Monday and the kids have had today and yesterday using their new boats.
Firstly – you’ve all got lovely children. They’re a pleasure to have with me. You probably don’t know this but they all know how to clean up a kitchen and make their beds.
We’re staying in the bottom two floors of the flat and we really are comfortable. The VAN (big big van) that I’m driving is a bit of a mission on these little roads but we all fit in fine and have more than enough space to carry all our gear back and forth.
I’ve turned on the heating in the flat so that we can dry our hiking pants and other gear - it worked a treat last night.
We had counted on being able to eat packed lunches from the club but they really are less than adequate and very expensive, so we’ve decided to make most of our food at home. Your children are all eating what I would normally feed my family including lots of fruit. By the way they all eat salad and finish a mountain of food – they are all fine.
UPDATE 28/07/2011 The British Nationals Team arrived in Pwhelli (try pronounce that) and spent the first day practising on the water with the team from the USA. They checked into their cosy accomodation and got an early night.
Racing gets underway tomorrow! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Good luck to Jesse, Henry, Travis, Georgou, Emma, Else and Ryan who are going to British Nationals 2011 in Pwheli, Wales.
IOCA(UK) Major EventsVolvo Optimist British National and Open ChampionshipPwllheli Sailing Club30/07/2011 - 05/08/2011
Below are Emma, Ryan, Henry, Jesse, Ricky (Coach) and Georgou. Else and Travis were not present yet.
Each morning the team start with a jog and a good stretch. Ricky is amazing getting them out of bed and out into the rain or chilly morning. I have more difficulty getting them into bed. It is still light at 10:00pm and it is a huge excuse not to go to bed – I’m getting more strict about it the closer we get to racing. Our first tune up race will be on Sunday afternoon with racing starting on Monday.
The wind has been quite light and today our sailors had some intense starting practises. Then they trained with the British, after “Poms” went in our team trained with the Americans (Yanks according to Henry). And after they went home ….our guys still stayed out. Our team are not sissies !
Ricky and I have organised that all the boats were measured and entered correctly. Thank you for all the sail certificates our paperwork and measuring went smoothly.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Some of the best of Britain’s up and coming young sailors are ready for a full week of racing at the 2011 Volvo Gill Optimist Open and National Championships, Pwllheli Sailing Club. Over 450 British and International competitors, from 15 nations will take part in the annual event from Saturday 30th July – Friday 5th August.
Racing throughout the week will be split into five separate categories, the Senior Fleet for those aged thirteen to fifteen, the Junior Fleet for those aged eight to twelve, Regatta Racing aged eight and above and for those that are looking for transition to the Junior fleet, Regatta Coaching for those competing at the event for the first time and Mini Racers aged eight and nine, who are just learning to sail.
“This year we have more international entries than last year with a number of new countries involved including South Africa, Kenya, New Zealand and Finland. It is fantastic to attract so many young sailors from across the globe. In the British fleets some of the top sailors have progressed and moved on so the regatta is wide open. The next generation are coming through and will be using the National Championships to find their positions within their fleets. It will be an exciting event for all.” Said Simon Rogers, IOCA (UK) Technical Officer.
In the senior fleet, 2011 World squad members will be using the opportunity to practice against overseas competition. 2011 Volvo Gill Optimist Inland Champion, Welshman Matt Whitfield (14, Penarth YC), Jamie Calder (13, Loch Tummel) and Joseph Burns (14, Spinnaker SC) are all looking to the take home the National Champion title. Gill Race Team member, Sarah Norbury will be looking to defend her top British girl title fending off competition from 2011 Euro team members Mimi El-Khazindar (14, Royal Lymington) and Georgia Booth (14, Scaling Dam SC).
2009 and 2010 Junior National Champion, Freddie Grogono (13, St Mawes SC) has progressed to the Senior Fleet and will be looking to triumph amongst his new competitors.
In the Junior fleet, 2011 Volvo Gill Optimist Inland Champion, William Heathcote (9, Royal Lymington) will be looking to repeat his success at Graftham Water but faces stiff competition from newly selected Gill Race team and World squad member Milo Gill-Taylor (11, Spinnaker YC).
From overseas Spain’s Nestor Cano (14, C Nautic Vilassar De Mar) and Ireland’s Peter McCann (14, Royal Cork YC) will be both be looking to repeat last year’s success with top ten finishes “There are some really good sailors competing here in Pwllheli. It is my second National Championships over here and I really enjoyed last year in Weymouth and Portland. Compared to back home it is definitely wavier and the currents are different. It can also be hard to tell where the gust is coming from, but I’m really looking forward to getting out there and starting the racing” Said Nestor.
This is the first year that Volvo and Gill have jointly sponsored the Optimist Sailing Class in the UK and includes support for three major annual championships: The Volvo Gill Optimist Inland Championships, the Volvo Gill Optimist Open and National Championships and the Volvo Gill Optimist End of Season Championships which will be taking place at Rutland Sailing Club, 8-9 October.
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