RS Tera National Squad first training event

by Zoe Handley on 14 Nov 2010 RS Tera National Squad first training weekend for the Tera Pro and Sport sail national squads took place at a chilly but clear Datchett SC. The squads were joined by Hannah Mills and Dan Alldis who will be working with them throughout the squad training year.

National coach, Jonathan Lewis, was delighted with the progress of the squad sailors and enthused over having two young expert coaches: ‘It is really great that we can have the expertise and experience of Hannah and Dan to develop our young sailors and we are really delighted that they will be supporting the Teras throughout the training season.’

Tim Koch, National Pro Squad sailor reports on the weekend.

‘Last weekend the new national squad assembled at Datchet for the first training event of the season. Focus was on avoiding dirty air – that’s not the air from the planes taking off from Heathrow or the guy sailing next to you who had beans for breakfast! We also practiced burgee use and downwind technique.

Dan led us for quick warm up after which we got changed into our dry suits – some hardy characters (James Dennis!) wore hikers! Then we launched. By the way – some people needed dry suit as they had forgotten that as squaddie you don’t capsize! (Jonathan’s thoughts…)

Hannah was coaching the Pro fleet (they even included me and my brother) and Dan and Jon had teamed up for the Sport and the Intermediate squad.

After a hard day’s Sailing we gave Hannah, at the debrief, a checklist for winning the Olympics:

Good boat speed
Good start (Not the best start!)
Clear air
Boat handling

Jon was also very pleased to hear from the parents that they had never seen us tack so much for clear air – some definite praise! (Sometimes quite rare).

On Sunday we were concentrating on starts. In the morning, in the Pro fleet, we were practicing rolling starts, in the afternoon being on the line at the right time. We also did team racing – sadly my team lost. Better luck next time!

Thanks to Datchet for hosting us, our Amazing coaches and to all the parents! We learnt absolutely masses! Good luck to Hannah - hope to see you at future weekends.’

The squads will next be training at Bartley over the weekend of 4/5 December. http://www.rstera.org/