After a couple of weekends of being committee boat for an Opie open Eastern qualifier with Snipe helm Iain Marshall and then big boat sailing on an X yacht 332 in big sea and 35-45 knots I finally have the opportunity to once again focus on 12ft dinghy sailing. Next weekend is one of the clubs biggest sailing races where they mix everything together, fast handicap, medium handicap and cruisers all on the same start line. Thinking ahead I know that there are a couple of things I will need to do if I am to stand a chance. Here is my pre race to do list.
1) Do a great wind dance before the event to make sure it blows it tits off!
2) Do another wind dance and ask for slightly less than this weekend, not being picky but 18-20knots would be great!
3) Don't have a skin full prior to event as after extensive research in this area over a number of years I can say that this has not work particularly well especially when making tactical decisions!
4) Get out early and look at the course to see which end is best and all other pre race start stuff.
5) Nail the start and that's the big one. With the smaller sail plan that a lot of other boats and with a little less pointing ability I will need to be at the front with fresh breeze to get going as then once wiring and planning upwind I can hold my own. As the boat does not have a kite the boat is relatively quick upwind this is the key to success!!!
The only issue at present is getting my silly injury out of the way. I am currently suffering with heel pain or plantar fascia. Basically you heel feels like you have trodden on a plug!!
Bloody hurts in the morning, gets better in the day and hurts again in the evening. Stretching seems to help but apparently it can be with you for a year or so.
Well I'll keep you updated after the race.
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