Saturday morning and I'm there with the guys, eagerly looking at the results, swapping war stories and kicking back in a sailings version of a post coital nap.
The only problem is they are in Sydney and I'm on skype.
Its SIRS regatta and I'm green with envy. I've not really thought about racing for a while but I knew it would come back. The Devil wears carbon.
Dave Lister is the man, winning the dash for cash and the first day of SIRS. He is showing exceptional downwind speed, the tricks of which he passed on to Little Dave who used it to win the Worlds. No twisting tiller for Big Dave, just a bit of rope and a tilting gantry (a al International 14's) married to a very small and symmetrical rudder horizontal.
John Harris '08 World Champ is picking up speed in his new Mach 2 in the same way the "Flying Scotsman" picks up speed. Slowly and puffing at first, yet when going almost impossible to stop.
The dash for cash saw 16 boats and Big Dave won whilst JH and Nathan came together in the same way tectonic plates come together and this leaves me wondering whether Colin Newmans "fired out of a circus cannon" helmeted look isn't more sensible than I thought.
Scotty, who would probably have been favorite, missed the dash for cash in favour of the office Christmas party, Swot.
This week saw the boys at McConaghy donate a new Mach 2 to the children's charity "Variety". A magnificent gesture from Mark and Jono, in possibly the most challenging economic times for many many years. The boat will be on eBay 21st of January if you fancy a bid.
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Monday, 30 November 2009
Reign in Spain..
Ever had the feeling that you are about ready to take on the world? Only problem is you really only get that feeling just after the last race of a major regatta?
And with the (probable) plus 100 boat European Championships in Switzerland in August it would be a shame if that was to happen again right?
Now however there's an event at Pro Vela in Mar Menor, Spain where you can get in shape, have fun and do yourself justice when it counts.
Here's the press release. I hope to see you there!
The Theory:
A week of Moth sailing where the focus is on having fun and learning loads! Coaching and technique clinics from Simon Payne, and racing as it should be..... friendly and just great fun! Short course, slalom, long distance and speed with a flexible approach to ensure everyone has a great time! With a safe, warm, learning friendly environment where the motivation from the organisers is an event for Moth sailors by Moth sailors!
The Venue:
Warm, Flat water, great sea breezes in the afternoon and awesome onshore facilities. Plentiful flights from all over Europe, accommodation types to suit all pockets and all within easy reach of Northern Europe!
The costs: In the region of...(very dependent on numbers) £600
Includes: Return boat shipping from one point in UK, 3 days Coaching with Simon Payne, Boat storage in security compound, and all on-water activity /racing and anything else we can pull together as we gather momentum and attract sponsors....
The other costs are:
4 *Hotel right next to the centre from €38.50 pp/ night
Bunk room accommodation at the venue from €9 pp/ night (limited availability)
At this stage of planning we have all sorts of possibilities...a truck driving down Europe collecting boats? Family rates in the hotels and apartments? Extra training days?
If you are seriously interested or would like to get involved please let Alan Hillman know on alan@pro-vela.com or call him on 0044 7917 678299, 0034 6098222488 or skype alanhillman.
Tuesday, 3 November 2009
British Airborne
November is here and I miss my Mach 2. The US Worlds seems so far away now. Here is cool little video expertly shot by Anja Rupp at Cascade Locks. Some nice foiling tacks (the Brits can do 'em too boys).
I still dont know what caused the crash at the end but I think I may have hooked the bouy anchor line..??
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Shadow Keeper
Nobody ever reads instructions, we always try to wing it and work the device as if we were the creator. This is OK if the device is a camera or a gps but its not really ok if it's a fire extinguisher. Reading the instructions by the light of the fire you are trying to put out I once found is an intense experience.
And in a way that feels a bit like Moth sailing these days. Always frantically trying to get prepared before the event. I've still got the remains of a suntan from the Gorge and already I'm well into planning for the next Worlds. South of France training, boat directly to Dubai etc
These days it seems that as you stand listening to a closing speech you are also reading the NOR of the next one.
We had the European championships in June 09 and by August 2010 we will have had two worlds and two Europeans in a 13 month period. Christ! I was European Champions from 1994 to 1997 only because no one organised anything, but now it's all go as the class expands and if we are all to keep up then we need to get more efficent. Of course you dont have to do them all. But with 64 Mach 2's sold, we do, and I'm not complaining.
And if anything it means you value your time away from the race track more, in the shadows a bit for while.
But other than putting the notice of race, the sailing instructions, the briefing and possibly the welcoming speech on podcasts I can't really think of how to make it better. It's great already.
And in a way that feels a bit like Moth sailing these days. Always frantically trying to get prepared before the event. I've still got the remains of a suntan from the Gorge and already I'm well into planning for the next Worlds. South of France training, boat directly to Dubai etc
These days it seems that as you stand listening to a closing speech you are also reading the NOR of the next one.
We had the European championships in June 09 and by August 2010 we will have had two worlds and two Europeans in a 13 month period. Christ! I was European Champions from 1994 to 1997 only because no one organised anything, but now it's all go as the class expands and if we are all to keep up then we need to get more efficent. Of course you dont have to do them all. But with 64 Mach 2's sold, we do, and I'm not complaining.
And if anything it means you value your time away from the race track more, in the shadows a bit for while.
But other than putting the notice of race, the sailing instructions, the briefing and possibly the welcoming speech on podcasts I can't really think of how to make it better. It's great already.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Running from Jordan
Everywhere I go I see that woman's face, and it alone make me want to leave the UK. Trouble is I can't, with no boat and no event I might see January here for the first time in years. Recently I've been very lucky to travel to the southern hemisphere, either Perth or Melbourne, and it always seemed to make me feel that I'd hit a fast forward button and then stopped it at a good bit in my own little movie, fortunately missing most of the unforgettable part that is winter in the UK.
Yet I'm preparing for winter here, maliciously hoping that "What Katie did next" would be final and the only reminder of down under is that twat she's married to.
A fast forward movie of the Tide Ride at Hayling Island Sailing Club yesterday would reveal a manic blur of ascending and descending boats being slung from stationary to warp speed. The wind would be 10 knots then nothing then 10 again. Yachts would shoot by at 20 times faster than they are supposed to go and if you looked carefully you might even catch a quick glimpse of a rapidly vibrating mainsail.
A few frames later you might see the leader lap all but two other competitors in this crazy race and if we also had a sound track you would hear frequent high pitched squawks coming from a couple of boats. Thankfully undecipherable as remember we are on fast forward.
Rod Harris won. He is establishing himself as a guy who is still improving where others seem to have stopped.
It was best to be watching yesterday, especially holding a gin and tonic, and accordingly easy to criticise too, so I wont. Suffice to say that it wasn't a great movie, let down by the plot, and I was very glad that I wasn't amongst the cast.
Yet I'm preparing for winter here, maliciously hoping that "What Katie did next" would be final and the only reminder of down under is that twat she's married to.
A fast forward movie of the Tide Ride at Hayling Island Sailing Club yesterday would reveal a manic blur of ascending and descending boats being slung from stationary to warp speed. The wind would be 10 knots then nothing then 10 again. Yachts would shoot by at 20 times faster than they are supposed to go and if you looked carefully you might even catch a quick glimpse of a rapidly vibrating mainsail.
A few frames later you might see the leader lap all but two other competitors in this crazy race and if we also had a sound track you would hear frequent high pitched squawks coming from a couple of boats. Thankfully undecipherable as remember we are on fast forward.
Rod Harris won. He is establishing himself as a guy who is still improving where others seem to have stopped.
It was best to be watching yesterday, especially holding a gin and tonic, and accordingly easy to criticise too, so I wont. Suffice to say that it wasn't a great movie, let down by the plot, and I was very glad that I wasn't amongst the cast.
Friday, 4 September 2009
Words have meaning and names have power
Lot's of discussion about the Moth Cast, which I'm a fan of actually. Although the sound is so low I can barely hear it, and the gaps are so big between the words that you can wake up refreshed before the next one, but I do like the opinion, although occasionally its a little inaccurate.
Anyway no matter, but if you throw a few stones either intentionally or otherwise you must expect to get a few thrown back and you shouldn't feel too put out when someone says you are talking bollocks. It goes with the territory. And you probably are.
But its still good, and runs well. I admire Bruce, although I have no idea what drives him to do this, but I do think he's on to something despite the fact that its clearly hard getting tall people to speak fast.
Anyway I delight that the Australian season is staring up, I like the debate and "handbags at dawn" spats which is good for the class. By bringing issues out into the open they get discussed, addressed and dealt with.
In the UK we had Simon Propper.
Simon was web editor for the UK website when I was President and we had our moments. ..Threatened with everything from lawsuits to physical violence he still made his points, the seriousness of which was missed by the easily lead self congratulatory divisions who want to shout "Oh bravo!" at every opportunity.
Now, with a healthy class and us both replaced by more talented and youthful females I see Simon is writing again, this time about his holidays.
I'd like you to read this. Its on the UK site. Its very good.
Anyway no matter, but if you throw a few stones either intentionally or otherwise you must expect to get a few thrown back and you shouldn't feel too put out when someone says you are talking bollocks. It goes with the territory. And you probably are.
But its still good, and runs well. I admire Bruce, although I have no idea what drives him to do this, but I do think he's on to something despite the fact that its clearly hard getting tall people to speak fast.
Anyway I delight that the Australian season is staring up, I like the debate and "handbags at dawn" spats which is good for the class. By bringing issues out into the open they get discussed, addressed and dealt with.
In the UK we had Simon Propper.
Simon was web editor for the UK website when I was President and we had our moments. ..Threatened with everything from lawsuits to physical violence he still made his points, the seriousness of which was missed by the easily lead self congratulatory divisions who want to shout "Oh bravo!" at every opportunity.
Now, with a healthy class and us both replaced by more talented and youthful females I see Simon is writing again, this time about his holidays.
I'd like you to read this. Its on the UK site. Its very good.
Monday, 24 August 2009
American Boy
Home at the end of the day photo ThMartinez/Sea&Co http://www.thmartinez.com
Well done to Bora Gulari, a popular guy and a great World Champion. He worked harder, trained longer and went quicker than anyone else. He deserved his victory and I'm sure there will be more.
I ended up 5th, just behind Dalton and in front of Rohan. I took out a few races, but unreliable starting combined with 65kg wet-through meant unless I got that right I was easily buried. Also I stacked it a couple of times when I shouldn't really have. Anyway I didn't give up and a top 5 in that company is alright.
For Mach 2 it was a very successful event.
I think it was Murray Walker the racing driver commentator who said "The lead car is absolutely unique, except for the one behind it which is identical".. That didn't quite apply to us, but to have 4 Mach 2's in the top five was fantastic and to borrow a strap line..
"There's a new champion in town..."
The Worlds I think represented a tipping point for the class. The media coverage was unprecedented and the work of the USA IMCA committee in particular Nigel Oswald, who surely has an alternative career in event management, and Charlie McKee was exceptional. "On the Water Anarchy" in the form of Alan an Merideth Block did an outstanding job and I honestly could not believe the number of spectators on the bleaches after the slalom and on the final day where there must have been a couple of hundred.
Not massive by other sports standard but for sailing, that was Woodstock.
But the most impressive thing is the quality and depth of the class. You cannot compare it to when I won in 06, its sooo different. The game has moved on and the US and AUS classes are very strong with hot sailors.
So role on Dubai, The winds are said to be lighter and it's only six months away. I will do it and please God, it would be nice, just once to go down the run and think to myself "What's the best way to get round the leeward mark?" rather than "whats the best way to get round the leeward mark without stacking it.."
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