IOCA South Pre Zone Winter Training 6 at Bosham Sailing Club
by Roger Cerrato 2 Mar 12:39 PST
1 March 2020
IOCA South Pre Zone Winter Training 6 at Bosham © Andy Kerr
Bosham SC and in particular Gavin have once again been fantastic hosts for this the third year of IOCA South's Pre Zone winter training programme based at the club. For 2019/20 we again ran six days of race training spread over the winter months.
The last session was held on Sunday 1st March. As St David's day dawned the weather was keen to remind sailors and coaches that despite the appearance of daffodils, winter was still very much in control, the warm gentle breezes of spring had definitely not yet replaced the cold hard storms of winter. However, after a winter largely consisting of strong wind sailing practice, the sailors were not fazed by a cold 20 knot breeze!
With the tide rising through out the day, the afternoon promised to have the most water to allow sailors to enjoy the conditions, with this in mind the morning consisted of an easy start and a short session afloat to get sailors warmed up and attempting important strong wind techniques including sailing and bailing (very important in an Optimist) and bearing away without nose diving (quite challenging in an Optimist).
After lunch, activities were made progressively more challenging to keep the sailors improving, a special mention must go to Elsie Upton-Brown who went from cautious reaching to flying around a triangle course over the course of the day. To finish the day a series of races and speed challenges were run for the sailors. All proved that not only could they sail well in strong winds, they could race competitively while doing so.
After sailors had warmed up and parents kindly packed boats away, there was a prize-giving with all sailors receiving a coveted IOCA winter training medal and a welcome pair of Rooster glove liners.
A big well done to all the sailors for their enthusiasm and determination throughout the winter. There should be some close Optimist racing in Chichester harbour this summer and we look forward to welcoming the sailors to other events on the Rooster Optimist Southern Travellers Series.
For more details on the Series please visit: south.ioca.org.uk/traveller-series-events-201920