My, what a busy few weeks it’s been as our top Welsh sailors have been competing all over the world during July...
1 European Optimist GBR Team member, 4 French GBR Team members + 7 French entries, 7 Topper Sailors at Topper Worlds, 1 Laser Sailor at ISAF Youth Worlds in Brazil, 2 laser sailors for GBR at Youth Europeans in Denmark, 1 29er sailor in 29er worlds in Garda and 1 420 at French Nationals – France....
Wow...
Next it’s the turn of British Sailing as the British National Championships period is already upon us as the Lasers in Paignton have finished pre event training with Luke (pictured) and are into day 2 of what looks to be a windy week. Wales has 3 laser 4.7s for the first time, 6 radial, 2 full rigs from the WNS – all hoping to make steps towards making GBR Squad selection in September! Whilst overseas Hannah Tilley misses this one, with a week off before the Laser 4.7 worlds begin in Brazil... Paignton... or Rio...
Next come the Toppers at Pwllheli, with over 370 entries and some 25 Welsh sailors competing with National Coach Paul Simes running pre training and event support – hopefully a good week on the home waters of Pwllheli for the Welsh!! (And most definitely no 6am starts...!!!....Races held or thrown out by 05:45 vote...!!!.... or redress lists as long as the entry.....!!!..... (But as ever overseas managed with a smile and warm welcome!!) See Carols article for more...
Then it’s the turn of the Optimists in Largs, with Toby Morsley back from the Europeans chasing a top results and the GBR French (or was it a Welsh team) equally gunning for top results!! Fingers crossed folks that Largs behaves with “W’s” and “gradient” in every forecast for the weak!!
And finally, new Welsh partnerships Nia and Eleni, Tom Pain and Dan Bullock, and Toby moving into the 420 Nationals in Plymouth...
(and then finally finally Josh and Iwan are going to try their hand at RS 400 sailing at the Nationals in Falmouth...)
Good Luck to everyone at the Nationals and we'll see you there!!
Image: Laser training at Paignton. Credit Iwan Basten (from his phone!)