Youth perspective on the International Paint Poole Regatta
by Alex Jones 10 Jun 2024 14:08 AEST
25-27 May 2024
Energy at the International Paint Poole Regatta © Lucy Jones
Keeping a cool head - David vs Goliath
The day of the International Paint Poole Yacht Regatta dawned with promise and a bit of trepidation. As the helm of Energy, I knew the forecasted gusty conditions would test our mettle. Our crew, a bunch of teenage dinghy sailors, ranging from 14 to 17 years old and me the helm, 15 years old, were gingerly anticipating the start of the racing. We were one of only 2 youth boats in a sea of adult crewed yachts. Little did we know, this regatta would push us to our limits.
There were 2 very memorable moments in the yacht regatta:
The start, David vs Goliath
Race 7 was an encapsulating moment. As we approached the start line with only a minute to go, jostling for position I decided to gybe and stop. We faced off against a 50-foot, professionally crewed yacht in their matching clothing, a sleek beast with a wooden mast and a crew of twenty shouting "overlap!" at us. With only a mere meter of overlap, I shouted 'No overlap', they were trying to intimidate us, trying to trick a bunch of teenagers. Not on my watch. I resumed focus and had to grin at our supervising adult's retort who is an ex-Olympian, gruffly shouting to the other yacht from behind me, "Learn the rules!" encapsulated our defiance.
Shouting down a strong professional team and being backed up by an ex-Olympian felt good. With 30 seconds to the start, I put on speed, refusing to let them squeeze us out.
The larger yacht had to fall below us, and as they did, I skewed up, forcing them further out of our way. With ten seconds to go, I bore away for speed, achieving a near-perfect start. We tacked inshore, aiming to catch a lift off the shore, while the beast followed then tacked out. It was a classic David vs. Goliath scenario.
Despite their expectations that our youth crew would quiver, we held our ground. We manoeuvred with precision and confidence, leveraging every tactical advantage we could. As the race progressed, we were undeterred by the size and professional crew of the rival yacht. They finally pulled away due to their size and speed advantage, but we had given them a good battle.
The Broach!
Midway through the race, we approached a critical downwind leg. I called for a gybe, signalling the crew to prepare. However, our manoeuvre was slower than expected. A wave hit us from the back quarter, pushing the bow down and skewing our direction. The main sail didn't come in enough, and suddenly, I found myself sailing by the lee. The wind struck us hard, and we broached.
Pandemonium ensued. The yacht heeled over violently, water flooding the deck. The crew panicked, and in the confusion, the guy rope ran freely. The spinnaker shot forward uncontrollably, transforming our position into a full-on reach with the main sail fully extended. Energy leaned precariously; the deck almost vertical.
Amidst the chaos, Jack Knapper on the foredeck remained unphased, gripping the rail with his fingertips. His annoyance was not at the broach but at the thought of losing our lead over the other yachts in close proximity. His composure amidst the turmoil was a beacon for the rest of us.
The adrenaline rush was exhilarating, a true testament to the unpredictable nature of sailing. I kept a cool head and secretly revelled in the excitement. Finally, the main sail was released, and we could bear away, regaining control. We dropped the spinnaker to regain our composure.
Later when I asked for it to be hoisted again there were a few looks of disbelief, fear, in trepidation and excitement. Perhaps too soon to go again, some of us were ready but others needed time to reset, process and refocus. I was overalled by the supervising adult, who, if necessary, would veto my decision. We left it down and completed the race.
More than just a competition
In the end, the regatta was more than just a competition; it was a journey of resilience, skill, and camaraderie. Our crew, despite the moments of panic and intense pressure, came together to navigate through the challenges. Jack's unflappable demeanour, David's spirited defence, and the collective determination of our team turned potential disaster into a memorable triumph.
Reflecting on the day, I felt a profound sense of pride. We had faced the gusts, the broach, and the intimidation of a professional crew, emerging not just unscathed, but victorious in spirit. The International Paint Poole Yacht Regatta had tested us, and we had risen to the occasion, proving that even a youth crew could hold their own against the giants of the sea.
As the sun set over the marina, and looking at the motley teenage crew, I knew this regatta would be etched in our memories. It was a testament to our grit, our teamwork, and our love for the sport. We had sailed through chaos and emerged stronger, ready to face whatever the next regatta might bring. I can't wait until next year's race.
Thank you to the sponsors of the event International Paint, Haven Knox-Johnston and Poole Harbour Commissioners, Savills and Stoneways Marine, The Knot Agency, Salcombe Distilling Co, Sandbanks Brewery and to my own personal sponsor 4twenty2 who has been supporting me in my competitive sailing journey. Next weekend, I am back in dinghies, training for the ILCA 4 World Championships. I will be solo but will miss the team spirit of Energy.