F16 Euros Day 4

Penultimate day of the regatta, The wind was a little later but eventually filled in across the race course by 13.30. Race 1 was started in a perfect breeze, everyone was double trapeezing upwind and most wiring downwind too. We had a great start right at the committee boat end as we wanted to tack off early favouring the right hand side. It wasn't as favoured as we first though but a perfect layline call saw us first around the windward mark. For the rest of the race we covered and extended and secured another win. 

In race 2 the wind was... interesting. It seemed to be shifting to the right but filling from the left. So did you go for the shift or the additional pressure? Initially we went for the shift and rounded mark 1 in 5th, but learning from that we went straight for the pressure on the second lap and sailed into 1st. On the final lap the breeze really dropped, the fleet closed up and while we tried to cover the bunch we let a few boats past eventually finishing 4th.

Not a bad day considering the flukey conditions in race 2. Still leading overall and have extended our lead slightly. Hoping for more consistant breeze tomorrow to finish the regatta off.

Cheers

TP

Thanks!

Thanks for all the great comments, its great to hear the support. Its the morning of day 4, not much wind at the minute, but like most day im sure it will be in and strong by 13.00. check back this evening to see how the day goes.

TP

F16 Euros Day 3

Learning from yesterday the race committee decided on a 13.00 start time in order for the wind to establish before racing. Despite delaying the start the wind still took it time to come in, but after a short postponement race 4 began. For us, it began horribly. The one boat that happened to be OCS was sat on top of us and we were forced into a bad lane. after clearing our air and sailing a tidy first beat we round the windward mark 9th/10th. It was hard to work our way back through the fleet because the race course was extremely one sided, but using our great pace, we managed to pick off a few downwind eventually finishing 5th.

Race 5 our start was better but still not perfect, after trying to find the best lane upwind we couldnt stick completely to the pre race plan and rounded mark 1 in 5th. Some very close racing around the course made for some great sailing. On the final upwind we got the shift just right and sailing into 2nd place, covering downwind secured the result.

The final race of the day we thankfully got a great start, and like they say 'the rest is easy'. We had great pace both up and down wind so it was just a matter of covering the fleet and keeping an eye out for where the channels of breeze were. so race 6 was another 1st for us.

All the boats around us also had another good day so its still tight at the top. Similar conditions expected for tomorrow so check back soon to see how it goes!

TP

F16 Euros Day 2

First day of actual racing today. The start was supposed be at 12.00 but when Nikki and I arrived at the committee boat, we were told that it had been postponed due to light winds. We decided to sail back upwind and in as it was very hot on the water. As we hit the beach the AP was lowered so we had to relaunch straight away. Race 1 we decided to have a relitivly conservative start but it was clear the the right hand side of the beat was favoured so we made space to tack. We had great boat speed upwind and rounded the first mark 4th or 5th, but again sailing straight for the wind on the down wind leg as well moved us up into 2nd. With only two laps we had to make the most of the upwind as the breeze shifted we tacked early on the layline but due to the shift were lifted up around the mark in 1st place. Covering downwind secured the win. not bad for race 1!

Race 2 was similar conditions, learning form race 1 we started on the committee boat and tack straight for the breeze. We lead from start to finish and took race 2 aswell after 3 laps of covering the fleet.

Race 3 the breeze was droping off, another great start put us 3rd at the windward mark, after a long battle with the boats in front we eventually crossed the line in 2nd place when the race was shortened. 

So an awesome first day, 1,1,2. currently 1st overall but we have to do it again tomorrow. Check back soon to see what happens!

TP

F16 Euros Day 1

Currently sat in the club sheltering from a thunder and lightning storm, there is zero wind and everyone is saying that today is a write off! I think the committee will hold on for a little while longer but its not looking good. Just watched the laser medal race with the Belgium teams, which was great! Check back soon to see if we get any racing in today. Tomorrows forecast is better!

Evening in Como

F16 Europeans Build Up

Nikki and I arrived yesterday evening at Gravedona, Lake Como, Italy, host of this years formula 16 European championships. After a very long drive from Cornwall, we had a quick bite to eat before heading off to sleep. Today began with nikki leading the way and going for a run, while i prepared a breakfast of the highest quality (Wheatabix) Following that nikki and I began rigging the boat and preparing it for measurement. This afternoon the breeze filled in and we took the opportunity to get out on the water, it was great sailing in such a warm climate and with such awesome scenary. Speed seemed good when we go the chance to briefly line up with some other boats. More sailing tomorrow and Sunday but i think we may need to make sure were about to watch Ben in his medal race show down!

Check back to find out how the rest of the build up goes, racing starts on Monday.

TP

National Champions!

After 4 days of hard intensive training Nikki and I have emerge as Dart 18 National Champs, The regatta was closely fought all the way to the end when we just pipped John Pierce and his son Josh to the top spot. Initially the regatta was sailing in lighter winds, while we tried to stay as consistent as possible during the first 5 races we used both our discards. The second half of the event was a different story. A bit more wind meant we could rely on our boat speed a little more. and combination of some great starts and a little bit of luck saw us win all of the final 4 races. The final scores left us just 1 point ahead of John and Josh, with some fantastic racing along the way. 

Massive thanks to all of the organising committee and volunteers at RYYC, thanks also to windsport for providing the boat, and a personal thanks to Nikki for putting up with me in some stressful situations!

Pictures to follow!

Off to Italy tomorrow to attend the F16 Europeans, check back soon to find out the latest developments.

TP

Boat rigged

So the boat is now rigged, nikki arrives late tonight. Racing tomorrow starts at 14.00 but we plan to go for a shake down sail in the morning. Check back for results tomorrow. TP

Dart18 Nationals

Now on the road up to the nationals, left yesterday evening and drove into the night, up early now and about to continue on route. Nikki and I will be sailing together and using the regatta as some race training in preparation for the F16 Europeans early next month. Keep checking for updates on the regatta and the build up to the Europeans. TP

First New Toy

Myself and Sam Newton spent the afternoon in rainy Cornwall putting together the first of the 2 new boats collected last week. The C2 from AHPC is known as one of the best F18s on the market. After putting it together I can see why, very impressed with the platform layout and stiffness. Sailing her for the first time today, so check back for more updates soon!

New Toys

Today I am starting work on the 2 new toys from AHPC. Over the summer I will be using the viper to build up valuable time on the water as a mixed crew with Nikki Boniface while also using the C2 to keep my fleet racing skills up to date on the F18 circuit. Depending on how well the build goes today (weather permitting) I might try to get out of a sail this evening!

Holland Trip

All packed and loaded to head of to holland. I am travelling out with Nikki Boniface to collect not only an F16 Viper but also an F18 C2. This will enable me and Nikki to race in the up and coming F16 Europeans but I will also race the C2 at as many F18 events too! Keep check to see how the build up to the F16 Euros goes.
TP

2012

2012 is set to be a changeable year, a combination of graduating from university and a host of sailing opportunities should provide an exciting year. Team Invictus plan to have a new wing up and running this spring so training and development for the LAC 2013 will be back on track. The J80 Worlds will be hosted in Dartmouth this summer and along with previous team members I aim to compete and once again become top Brit and improve on last years result. This September the Dart Worlds will be held in Italy, which I have hopes to compete in once again, and its even more exciting as it will be the first real showcase of the new Dart, previously built in South Africa, and which are now manufactured in the UK. Along side this there are other projects and events happening, keep checking for updates! 

TP 

Match Racing Career Begins...

This weekend I teamed up with two of my old sailing buddies to compete in the under 25 National Match Racing Championships. Having no real match racing experience and being unfamiliar with the Elliot 6m boats, we planned to use the event as a learning opportunity. After initially planning to train in the boats on Friday afternoon, we unfortunately weren't able to due to traffic and logistical problems. So Saturday provided a baptism of fire where we had to learn to sail the boat and match race on the job! The event began with a round robin series where all 7 teams raced eachother to qualify the top four boats for the finals. Out of our 6 matches during this, we won 4 and lost 2. Placing us 4th overall after the first day. We were very happy with this result because it meant we were able to race in the knockout finals the following day.

Day two provided light winds, because of our ranking our first match was against the overall leaders and favourites to win. After a tricky pre start because of timing issues, we were second off of the line. By smooth sailing and superior speed we overtook on the first beat. From there we proceeded to keep a tight cover over the opposition and sailed ourselves to the win. After this, the wind moderated even further and the race committee was forced to postpone...a long while later...our faces a little redder, the race committee decided it wasn't going to be possible to complete any more racing and abandoned the day.

After much deliberation from the jury as to whether to include the one semi final match, it was announced that we placed 2nd overall - a fantastic result for the first match race regatta! A bonus to doing so well was that we automatically qualified for the open nationals early next year which we're hoping to attend. The regatta has now triggered my appetite for match racing, so expect more like this in the future!

Keep checking for updates... 

AC comes to Plymouth

As you may or may not know, I am studying at Plymouth university. Last week to the surprise of many, Plymouth host one of the Americas Cup world series regattas. It was amazing to watch the incredible boats flying around Plymouth sound. I have to say Plymouth did a great job of hosting the event. The hoe provided a second to none vantage point for watching the racing. On the Tuesday i was able to go down the the AC Base, and have a look around the boats up and close. It really was great to be that close and see how all the boats worked. Unfortunately the week has only wetted my appetite for actually sailing one. It was so frustrating being that close to them without being onboard sailing! It is now my mission!  

Keep Checking

J80 Adventure Concludes

Again sorry there hasn't been more updates. I am now sat in a German service station with rich, on our way back across Europe! The last time i updated this we were cruising with the front runners in 10th, Unfortunately since then things didnt go quite so well. Over the rest of the regatta we really struggled with boat speed, the meant hold and clean lane around the course was very hard. After sailing as hard as we could and trying everything to make the boat go faster, we ended up 32nd. Probably where we expected to be before the regatta, but after the first day it seems a bit disappointing. Any how we all really enjoyed the regatta, and learnt lots. We are now more focused than ever on the 2012 J80 Worlds campaign. We made some good contact with the fast boats and want to try and do some training with them over winter so keep and eye out for new happenings!

Cheers

TP 

J80 Adventure Continues

Sorry it has been so long, internet is quite hard to come by when you camping! I am sat in Dragor YC, while we wait for the wind to fill in. It is now day 2 of the regatta and things have been going pretty well so far! Yesterday we had a serious BDOTW (big day on the water) We left the dock at 9am and didn't return until 8pm! The day was very sunny and there was only a little wind. In the first and second race we had great starts and managed to score a 15th and 10th which we were very pleased with. The final race of the day which started at 6pm we had a tricky start but managed to battle our way through alot of the fleet to finish 24th. It was very hard day and alot of people we all over the place results wise, so overall we are currently 10th. The points are pretty close so racing will be hard today as well. I will try and keep you up to date, check back soon!

TP

J80 Adventure Begins

So today we start the long journey out to Denmark, Actually i will only get as far as Dorchester by this evening but its a start! I am staying with rich tonight, and then tomorrow the both of us will go on to firstly pick up mark, then go shopping, followed by collecting the boat from hamble before driving to Dover to catch the cross channel ferry (Thanks P & O) and finally driving as far as we can across Europe before we stop and sleep in the van. So the next few days will be spent mostly looking at a road, but I cant wait!

Hopefully it all goes smoothly, but keep checking for any unexpected adventures (im sure there will some!)

TP

J80 Training

Yesterday i went up to Hamble to meet the boys for our final UK training session. We all arrived to find a light breeze but alot of fog! As we cruised out to the solent there was weird pirate of the Caribbean feeling to it! There is somthing quite disconcerting about floating around in an 8m eter boat while the are 12000 tonne ships blasting sound signals through the fog at you! Any way we manage to avoid being run down and the fog soon cleared, leaving a perfect training day for us. We spent along time going through routines working out who does what in every situation. After then spending a bit of time on pre start it was time for us to get in to catch the tide for a lift out. Paul Haze who has very kindly lent us the boat helped us with the lift out, and then is was just a matter of preparing everything for the long trip out to Denmark. I think we all managed to catch bit of sun that evening packing the boat up, and we finished up with a debrief over dinner and drinks. So a very productive day for the team, we now have a huge list of bit we need to remember for the trip on Thursday!

Keep checking for updates

TP