Samantha headed to Greece in April and is working very hard for Neilson holidays at the Porto Myrina Hotel on Lemnos. After a few weeks of running introductory windsurfing courses she was delighted when she was allowed to make use of her newly acquired dinghy coaching certificates and offer some advanced racing skills sessions for the guests. We were lucky enough to be able to join her at the the resort
 |
| Samantha and Joanne in Greece |
for a couple of weeks and had a brilliant time. Canoeing, windsurfing and dinghy sailing every day with some swimming and a daily game of volleyball too. We met lots of Sam's fellow instructors who were very friendly and attentive and we enjoyed several lovely evenings with various members of the team. It is very hard work in such hot conditions but they clearly take it very seriously and work extremely hard to look after all their guests. Oh and the weather is a bit better than winter training at Cumbrae on the Clyde!
Joanne had a very busy Spring, sailing in the RYA Youth Nationals and then the Spring Champs at Pwllheli despite being in the final weeks of exam prep for her eight Intermediate 2 exams. After the exams were over it was off to Neiuwpoort in Belgium for Flanders Week which Heather and Jo had decided would be their last serious event together as Heather has developed a taste for 29ers and is also missing out on her Laser sailing and Joanne is still growing and really is getting too tall to be a sensible sized 420 helm.
 |
| Chilling in France |
During Flanders week we heard that Joanna Barrie was looking for a new crew and so arrangements were hastily made and bookings changed so that Joanne could join Joanna in Pleneuf Val Andre for the 420
French Nationals. Sadly it was a case of prepare in haste, repent at leisure when the boat was unpacked in France for measurement and the surprised girls un-bagged a suit of sails to discover the sails were several years older than they were - oops! So the French Nationals became a bit of a shake down and practice event but a great opportunity to develop the partnership and socialize with nearly 100 other 420 teams. Results? What results - we won't mention those.
 |
| Pleneuf Val-Andre, 420's wait for the fog to clear |
After France it was straight up to Loch Tummel our home club, for Tummel Week, a great family
sailing week which takes place every year and always gives a fantastic family holiday. This week there was a mixed fleet of RS200's, National 12, RS 400 and Flying Fifteens and as the only 420 the girls were delighted to win 2 of the ten races and lead the very competitive fast handicap fleet at the half way point. This was an impressive achievement in light and shifty conditions and we are hoping it is a sign of good things to come. As the last few races were completed in almost drifting conditions it became a damage limitation exercise but we were proud parents to see the girls hang on in there and complete the week in third place conceding the lead only to a National 12 and a very lightly crewed RS200!
This week the girls are very pleased to have been invited to train alongside the RYA Scotland Development Team for three days which will be a big help in their pre-Nationals preparation. Thank you RYA Scotland and SportScotland who provide financial support to that team. After weeks of drifting conditions they are praying from some breezy practice where Joanne's height can be put to good use on the trapeze.
Next week they have another two days of Class Academy training and then it is off to Pwllheli to start preparations for the UK 420 National Championships - then back to school!
No comments:
Post a Comment