GP14 Training Week at Llandudno Sailing Club
by Adam Savage 30 Oct 2015 02:58 AEDT
GP14 Training Week at Llandudno © Adam Savage & Tim Harper
12 boats made their way from North Wales with some travelling from Derwent and even Poole. The 24 sailors arrived to 20 mph and light rain, but this did not deter or fault the enthusiasm.
The coaches briefed in the group on wave techniques and strong wind sailing, with most people wanting to put their skills to practice before Barbados.
The first exercise tested the boat handling skills of both helm and crew with quick host and drops needed to keep the boat under your feet, with everyone alert and settled in to conditions. The fleet was tasked with a gate start then the most leeward boat had to cross the fleet, the emphasis was on boat speed and holding you lane. The wind direction gave the squad the opportunity keep the exercise running the full length of the bay.
The wind picked up to the mid 20's and the swell got steeper, leaving a great opportunity to send the fleet for a downwind blast in the waves.
A slightly early start for day 2 but sun and 10-12 mph made for a perfect day to out on the water. After a quick briefing on spinnakers the group set out for an hours free practice to enable those less experienced the room to get some time under their belts. The fleet then set out for a downwind gybing on whistle exercise, 3.5 miles later the coaching team thought it was time to turn for home,which was perfectly timed for the wind to pick up, waves to start to build and and and hours leg work out.
A series of quick races in the afternoon highlighted the leap forward the group made over the weekend with the fleet finishing within 15-20 seconds of each other. Every single person should be proud of the effort put in over the weekend.
A special thanks must go to Llandudno SC especially Gareth, who could not of been more helpful all weekend launching and recovering RIB's as well as providing safety cover for the fleet, opening up and co-ordinating with the galley.