Miami - Day 2

Today's start got postponed until 2:30PM to allow for some make up races for other classes as the wind died out yesterday afternoon. My performance yesterday was disappointing for me yesterday but I am determined to go out and sail better today. I have it in me and I am ready to prove it.

Miami 2012

Today was the first day on the water in preparation for the 2012 Miami OCR. The wind didn't fill in until around two in the afternoon but once it did we got a nice practice in light air. There is a solid showing here in Miami, Florida in the Laser class with over 80 competitors from 27 different countries. This is the first stop in the Sailing World Cup Series and is also the first regatta in the year of the 2012 Olympic Games that will be held in Weymouth, Great Britain. Everyone who is going is in their prime and pushing hard as the games are fast approaching.  This event should be really competitive and I am excited to be a part of it. Thanks again to Todd Snyder and Tech Optics for making this event possible.

Miami Bound

I had one last intense rowing session before my trip to Miami OCR tonight. I will go in for a medium cardio session tomorrow and hop on the road. I will be meeting some friends in Indiana and we will be traveling together for the event. My fitness is the highest it has ever been and I am excited to see how it translates into boat speed and improved mental focus while I am on the water. Look on here for updates throughout the event!

Back Into It

So I left you last with my return to GVSU and my goal to become more physically fit.  I have accomplished this goal. I am in better shape than I have ever been, with a combination of a sailing inspired lifting routine and being a member of the GVSU rowing team I have increased my cardio vascular endurance as well as my power and overall strength. It has been a good break to get my body in the right place. 

Miami OCR will be my next event starting January 23rd. Thanks to Todd Snyder, and Tech Optics for sponsoring me for this event.  He is making this event possible and for that I am grateful. I will be physically and mentally prepared for this event and I will have all the right equipment to get the job done right. I am excited to see what I can do with the new tools I have put in the tool bag recently.

Kingston, ON to Allendale MI

I'm back at college in Allendale, MI where I attend Grand Valley State University. CORK ended well with my finish position being 17th. It was a tough competition with tougher competitors. I feel good about where I finished and about where I can go from here. I am purchasing a top of the line heart rate monitor to help take my fitness to the next level. During these next few months I will be focusing on endurance and strength in relation to sailing. Thank you again to the Ensign class for sponsoring CORK and helping me to progress my sailing career!

Three Days In

Today was another long day on the water getting two races off in about 5 hours. The first race showed a 30 degree shift on the wrong side of the course which was disappointing to see after a great start. The next race turned out much better however, after having another really nice start and going to the correct side of the course I was 2nd to the windward mark and managed to hang on for a fourth at the end. Tomorrow looks like it should be a squall free day, so we have hopes of consistent breeze! Looking forward to two more solid sailing days.

Rain Day

Today was an interesting mix between intense weather and good sailing conditions. Most of the morning was taken up by a torrential downpour that took all the wind, followed by light wind around noon. Then the breeze filled in and the rain went away at about 1 so we went out racing! Half way up the first beat of my best race yet, the RC abandoned due to thunderstorms coming our way. It was an excited sail downwind while watching the lightning strike behind you! And after that, more systems came rolling through which cancelled the sailing for the day. After a shifty day yesterday with questionable race management I am sitting back in 23rd, so I am very excited to get some solid racing in tomorrow!