North American Chamionship Day 2 Try 2

First a little background on this event. North Americans draws competitors from all across the world. I practiced with a guy from Malasia and aslo a group from Purue before the regatta even started to give you an idea. There are hundreds of top notch athletes competing here and it is a very prestigious, world ranked event.

This is the second day of North Americans, yet we are still to get a race down in the books. Yesterday was spent waiting on shore for the wind to steadily fill across the course till about 1400. This was when postponement was taken down and the 200+ at this regatta launched for the race course. After a few false starts on the full rig course and a couple more postponements the PRO(head race committe) decided to abandon for the day. Of course as soon as we were half way in the wind filled in for what could have been a nice day. However after a nice bike ride, some protein and yoga to recover I am well prepared for a long day today. The race committe has six races planned so it should be a full day! I am excited for the challenge!

Gulf Coast Championships

First of all Texas is HOTTT. I don't think ill ever fully adjust to the high 90s weather than Galveston has to offer every day. But thankfully I was well prepared with a full suit of white, gallons of water and accelerade, and way too much sunscreen.

Gulf Coast Championships was held Saturday and Sunday in the waters just off Seabrook sailing club. The one redeeming factor about this place is the sea breeze that fills in everyday around noon. So after checking in with race committe, they sent us out just around the time when the breeze was filling in... and the sun was the strongest. Overall the regatta went decently finishing 10th of 62, with one problem that I believe I have fixed over the past two sailing sessions.

I had serious trouble getting a clean start, and with a fleet of 62 a clean start makes about 80% of the race. So after races on Sunday I kept sailing, and all I practiced was acceleration which is what starting is. And yesterday I went out for three hours focusing whenever I could on starts and acceleration, joining in with other training groups on the water. By the end of the session I was feeling very confident with my starting capability. I will practice more today, and have a lay day tomorrow before North Americans start which should set me up very nicely to do my best at this major event.

TEXAS!

The past couple weeks have been full of finishing out my highschool duties, working, working out and preparing for the two events I will be competing in down in Texas. The trailer just got a couple new additions with some sweet storage boxes and really nice way of storing the dollies. It is going to make traveling this summer much more enjoyable! I have acquired an all white outfit including a fishing hat with neck flaps in preparation for the intense Texan sun. It will be something that I will have to take into account throughout the entirity of the two events, drinking more water and doing everything I can to stay cool.

The two events that are being held in Texas are first Gulf Coast Championships this Saturday and Sunday, and also North American Championships three days after, going from Thursday to Sunday. These are high class events that will be drawing competitors from all over the world. Both of these events are firsts for me and I am very excited to go test my fitness as well as the recently aquired skills from the clinics I have participated in this year! Check back in for updates as the regattas progress.

Crazy Days

Although my updates have stopped over the last few weeks my life has not! My last day of High School was friday, which felt amazing by the way. I hosted my Open House saturday which took an immense amount of preperation and energy. And last but not least after 12 years of playing I had my final piano recital yesterday. But back to saiing.

Besides working out I have managed to work in some training time. Over Memorial Day Weekend I drove out to Annapolis, Maryland for a training camp with the US Developmental Team. The conditions were rough to say the least. The amount of sailboats and motorboats that were out on the Cheasapeake Bay was incredible. With these large boats contantly traveling back and forth on all sides of us creating a washing machine effect and the wind being light and shifty we had some chanlenging conditions to deal with. However even those these are not great sailing conditions you must know how to sail in light wind and choppy waves. So with top notch coaches helping me learn how to sail as fast as possible, the weekend was a huge help for myself. Also the last day we were treated with 8- 12 knots and had some fun races to end the training session.