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Optimist Sailor writes "Hi All Optimists!
Less than two months until the Selections in Mykonos. While Alison and team are
up and running for the arrangements on shore, the WC sailors are busy training
on their favourite piece of (smelly) water! Coaches (Pete, Graham, Roger, Eero)
are leading a great number of keen sailors through training sessions and white
sails are seen on the Vlei practically every day of the week. This Saturday team
coach Pete and manager Alison are passing on the experience from the Worlds and
next week we will be able to do the same on the website for the ones who cannot
attend. But one thing that we already have figured out is this: HIKING!! We tend
to not hike nearly hard enough and on the runs we take a break! That is NOT
FAST!
So, get to your boats, lengthen those straps and get your bottoms right out of
the boat. To be able to hike hard on a long course and in several races a day
for 6 days of racing, you need to be FIT and you must get used to the PAIN.
Otherwise, ciaociao Sardinia or at least no top100''s while in Sardinia!
Another thing that I want to pass on to all our Optimists is the general set-up
of your boats. Still far too many A-fleet sailors are not doing a proper job
before going out. Sailties are coming off, sail is not properly set and tuned
for the day''s wind, lines are chafing through, fittings are coming off,
extension tillers are failing during the racing. Sailing is an equipment sport
and that means (except needing to be friendly with mommies and daddies) that we
have to know how to use those equipment and we must look after it. And we need
spares and tools to follow us where ever we travel. A wrongly set sail, a gear
failure or a penalty for failing the check at sea in Selections can and will
cost you the trip overseas. We saw several cases at last Selections and again in
the Nationals. Do not give the points away for free!
Now you have 8 weeks to pump up those sixpacks and leg muscles of yours while
taking a good look at your equipment and reading the "how to tune up your rig &
sail" -guides.
The first race of the Selections is eight weeks away but the race has already
started. Don''t miss the boat!
Happy Sailing!
Eero
"
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