February 2015

February started much the same as January, high winds only this time accompanied with a dusting of snow and bitterly cold conditions. Social Sunday sailing with friends is some 75 miles away so it was a bit of a pain to need to set alarms for 6.30am to then decide to abandon the thought of travelling to Plymouth and head back to bed!

Winter Talk 1 - Rules At the Start Line - I was very lucky to be invited by Paignton Sailing Club to attend a series of winter talks by Natalie Lloyd, RYA Topper Head Coach. Our first talk was “rules on the start line”. Natalie made this an interesting and interactive discussion on definitions and thought provoking on how to use rules on the start line and to be confident in our actions.

I look forward to our second winter talk in March but mum hopes we get home before 11.45pm next time, well it was a school night for both of us!

NS2 – Topper Winter Regatta WPNSA – Saturday was sunny but bitterly cold and accompanied by strong winds so we were soon under a postponement until the gusts had dropped enough to allow the mark layers to set a course. The ribs launched twice before that was successful!


When we launched I reefed to stay safe and to try to complete the race upright! We used the windsurfers’ slipway due to the onshore wind and then made our way to the start line through choppy seas accompanied by strong gusting winds. Red flight had the second start and I finished a very pleasing 40th, after which we all returned to shore to regroup and consider a second race. Sailing kit that proved essential today were my GUL Windward Sailing Gloves for on the water and my GUL Rigging Jacket for when I came ashore. The conditions were no easier for race 2 so I decided to stay ashore and prepare for a full day of three races tomorrow.

Sunday dawned bright and early and we launched on time. The wind had dropped, perhaps a little too much. I posted a couple of reasonable results and was especially pleased with pulling a 15th out of the bag. I finished 86th overall which was great for my first competition on a full rig and it was good to catch-up with friends I hadn’t seen for a few months.

New VR Kit - the land based highlight of the month has to be the arrival of our new VR Jackets. They are soooo cool and I have hardly taken mine off since it arrived.

Now I am looking forward to March which has a full sailing calendar. An interesting mix of RYA Zone Squad training, our second winter talk, a day of Team Racing Coaching (a first for me), a National Series event and a local Traveller to complete the line up  :)

Read More

January 2015

Well after last year’s light wind conditions 2015 got off to the opposite of starts. New Year’s Day Sailing at Paignton Sailing Club was cancelled due to high winds swiftly followed by The Bloody Mary forecasts showing conditions way beyond my abilities with gusts of 40+ so that’s another day off the water

We did however make a trip to London that included visiting the new VR Superstore for the first time. Loads of space and great fun shopping for kit whilst riding VR’s scooter around the store!

SW Topper Zone Squad Camp 3

Yes we were going to be sailing at last! We left home early on Saturday morning in the motorhome, as we drove northwards we started to see snow on the verges. We arrived at Frampton to a lightly snow covered boat park, brrr this was going to be a cold one. Saturday focused on mark rounding techniques and staying warm. My mark rounding definitely improved and I was hugely grateful for my new Helly Hanson thermal top and Gul rigging jacket from VR so staying warm was easy except for cold hands. Plastic gloves underneath sailing gloves is called for.

Sunday saw no wind in the morning so we spent time in the classroom looking at rules and protests. We managed to launch in the afternoon completing some team racing which I really enjoy. This was new to some so a steep learning curve entailed, Olivia and myself were pleased with our efforts though. Today hands were fine but my feet froze! Not suffered from that before so an email to VR is needed for some ideas.

Read More

South West Topper Zone Squad - Chew Valley #1

This was the first camp of my second year in the Zone Squad

We are a squad of seventeen so we have four coaches: Duncan, Lynn, Natalie and Ed.
Lynn and Duncan will be at all of our squad camps and either Natalie or Ed at the others.
Chew is close to home so we got there in plenty of time for the new fitness session and the parents had their first parents briefing.
It was quiet light winds but there were some gusts that got us hiking.
Our main exercise was elephant ears to help our stop tacks and tacking and gybing on the whistle, which helps our upwind and downwind light airs trim.
On Sunday we had an earlier start because we had to finish earlier too.
In the morning there was no wind so we focussed on learning to a race officer, until the wind filled in and we could go yachting for a couple of races to finish the camp
Thank you to Chew Valley Sailing Club and our coaches for a good weekend.

Read More

2015 Zone Squad qualification

Our Zone Champs were in Paignton this year, we had a sunny weekend but with very light winds.
Saturday we managed 2 races in the afternoon and 4 races on Sunday.

Having had a fantastic weekend at the Plymouth qualifier I knew this was going to be hard work in the light conditions.  I had hoped to finish mid fleet this time, top 10 was not going to repeat itself unless the wind picked up.  Mid fleet it was, interestingly other sailors who finished near me in Plymouth dropped down to mid fleet too.  Whilst on the other hand Millie did fantastically well at Paignton, WELL DONE Millie!

Our Zone Squad Training Qualifier was at Bowmoor in the Cotswolds.  About 28 of us had applied to be part of the Squad so Duncan and his team of coaches “The Dream Team” had their work cut out to observe everyone.

I had a good day on the water finishing top boy and 3rd overall in the racing.

We have now had our Zone Squad emails and I am very pleased to have been selected to complete a second year in the South West Topper Zone Squad.  

Looking forward to lots of winter training.

Read More

Bart's Bash sailing on a 5.3 for Zone Squad qualification

Barts Bash clashed with a qualifier for the RYA SW Zone Squad so I couldn't join my VR team mates at QMSC racing against Sir Ben Ainslie for Barts Bash.

Our first race on Sunday  was the special race - BART’S BASH out in the middle of the bay near Drake's Island, along with 18,000 other boats around the world.

This was my first race on my full size rig and I finished 13th out of 42 so I was pretty happy with my result.

We had one more race before lunch for the regional traveller and I came 9th so it was another good race for me. The race officer got us out for one more race in the afternoon and I put all my energy into it and ended up 8th which I was really happy with - and I ended up 9th overall, on my 5.3 sail.

It was fantastic to take part in Barts Bash and be part of the VR Race Team on this special day even though I couldn't be at VR HQ.

Read More

Virtual Rigger 4.2 Summer Championships and Zkik World Championships at Pwllheli

A successful trip to Wales - 8th in the UK and 10th in the World for 2014 !

Roll on Lake Garda 2015 .....

Day 17 - Homeward Bound

A reasonable 8 hour run saw us reaching Somerset at 7pm to be greeted by one excited dog

Day 16 - Topper Worlds Day 3

3 races on our last day. Building on yesterday's results saw me posting 4, 12 and 8. Pretty pleased given my injury and securing 10th place overall to add to 8th last week. We then had prize giving, the charity auction before a group of us headed off to subway for tea, fun in the arcade and a party on the beach.

Day 15 - Topper Worlds Day 2

I had a lot to make up having missed yesterday's racing. We sailed 4 races today and I posted mixed results (14,10,6,8). Hiking with one leg is less than ideal but at least I was beginning to climb back up the results board.

We went out 4 races first race not great but others were ok, nothing in the evening

Day 14 - Topper Worlds Racing at last - Day 1

We launched but unfortunately my knee gave way again and I had to come back in and miss today's three races. Just hoping lots of rest today plus strapping my knee means I can go out tomorrow.

Day 13 - Topper Worlds Racing Abandoned

Similar conditions to yesterday saw racing being abandoned again. The day then became a mix of chilling on site, walking into town for lunch at subway, playing football and taking part in the Oakley challenge. In the evening we all went to the water park at Hagan y Mor.

Day 12 - Topper Worlds Racing Abandoned

23 knots and 6 foot of swell meant the day started with a 3 hour postponement. Conditions did not improve and therefore racing was abandoned for the day. We headed into town for a few hours before going out to tea. Just hoping we get out tomorrow.

Day 11- Rest Day 3 Chill and Opening Ceremony

At last a lie in this morning. We spent the day chilling, dodging rain storms and hanging out with friends. In the evening we had the Worlds Opening Ceremony including the flag parade of all the participating countries followed by a buffet supper.

Day 10 - Rest Day 2 Zip World

Early start today to head across to Zip World Titan. Great fun with friends and family before heading back to Pwllheli for Worlds Registration. After registration we lashed everything down in preparation for the incoming storm. We chilled around the sailing club for a while before heading to Nevfyn for a sailors BBQ.

Day 9 - Rest Day 1 Shattered

So today was down time to rest and recover ... something that escaped the notice of Caroline Randeria who organised a walk up Snowdon whilst carrying a Topper to raise money for the John Merricks Sailing Trust and the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. Well done to those who completed this challenge raising over £400 during the walk itself plus more donations online. I spent a social day with Carol Dugdale and Josh at the base of Snowdon including a trip on the lakeside train and discussing Carols departure to Canada tomorrow for her 2.4 sailing event ... good luck Carol.

Day 8 - Fourth day of Racing

Slightly worried on launch as the winds were very light but they filled in giving a good last day of racing and I posted top ten results for both days leaving me 8th overall which giving the mixed conditions and blisters was a result I was pleased with.

Day 7 - Third day of Racing

At last great wind today for me reflected with top five results in every race and jumping ten places on the leaders board. Blisters across the back of my legs making this a somewhat painful but just very pleased to be posting good results and I have 2 ducks to collect in briefing tomorrow.

Day 6 - Second day of racing

Postponement in the morning whilst there were great winds and waves to be conquered. By the time we launched everything was rather light and sedate. I was winning the first race which was then abandoned .... not happy, I was the only one who actually followed the course! The next 2 races were as bad as yesterday's results this is just not my week.

The club held a competitors BBQ in the evening, the food was very good, shame about the rain. Really looking forward to catching up with Carol Dugdale and Josh who arrived this evening.

Day 5 - First day of Racing

Light winds and no waves so not a good start to the Championships for me.

Evening BBQ was rather late as we had to wait for the Fundraising Auction to finish. No bargains for us but a purple muggi for a 2.4 sailor whose boat has a purple colour theme. Hopefully this will make Carol smile when she arrives tomorrow.

Day 4 - Racing Abandoned

An early start following a rather rough night. Torrential rain and high winds caused havoc on site at the sailing club including having to put awnings down at 2am! Sailors under canvas on local campsites faired less well with several tents being submerged. The 4.2 squadies rigged their boats together then headed off to the main briefing. Then followed our squad briefing with sailors sprinting for a bench to sit on. A 2 hour postponement followed by racing being abandoned for the day due to winds and big waves. Mark layers were loosing marks between the waves never mind the odd boat. The 4.2 squadies headed back to the boat park to derig together then most returned to their accommodation. We had a BBQ mid evening by which time the winds had died down ... just as well as 8 in our camper would have been interesting.

Day 3 - Registration and Welcome Briefing

Last lie in for a while. This morning was spent sorting our boats and catching up with our Zone Squad coaches and friends. We registered as soon as registration was open and managed to get through measuring before meeting up with the our South West coach for some time on the water ... well once Lynn worked out how to start the rib that is! The conditions were light and shifty so not much fun but we did get to see some dolphins. In the evening we had the welcome briefing followed by tea.

Day 2 - Setting up

Rain and not bring in a rush meant we had a late start to the day. We got up at 9am :-) A chilled day for the sailors whilst the grown ups sorted ribs, the race office and the clothing orders. Sailors cycled into town to take a look around and we set up our paddling pool (picture to follow) In the evening we went out to tea to the Chinese. Whilst the day started off wet it turned out nice and sunny by mid afternoon.

Day 1 - Road trip to North Wales

We left the house at 11am and arrived at Pwllheli Sailing Club just before 7pm with 2 stops enroute. When we arrived I helped Andy and Adam Millington put sail numbers on the sails for the Indian sailors who arrive this weekend. Then we waited for the Luxford's to pull up after their mammoth 12 hour journey with so many motorway closures and delays.

Read More

Virtual Rigger Topper 4.2 series winner - Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

Second overall for the event and FIRST in the 2014 series !

I had the whole day off on Friday because it takes us seven hours to get to Derwent from the south coast.

On the Saturday we launched as planned but then the wind dropped and the 4.2s just rafted up for about an hour. Then we paddled in but everyone else got a lift straight away except me and Ben O'D so we paddled three quarters of the way in ourselves. We had an hours lunch because there still wasn't enough wind. When we did get out we did 3 races and I came 3rd, 3rd and a 4th, I was quite happy with the day.

On Sunday morning the wind was good as forecast so we got straight out as planned and did four races back to back with a break for lunch out on the water. In the races I came 2nd in all of them. This put me up a place into 2nd overall for the event!!!!

Finally we had the results for the overall series.... I won the series by 1 point to Coco. I'd like to thank everyone for great compition and especially Coco for great competition all year round.

Well done to Calum, Lucy and Jack for coming top 3 overall in the 5.3 series.

I'd like to thank my personal sponsors Virtual Rigger, Gul and 1610 for the great support all year round.

Hope to see everyone in Pwhelli for the Worlds + Nationals

Read More