Issue date
I have just returned home from my 100-day stint overseas, competing in seven events during that time in Oman, Europe and the UK. It was an awesome time made up of top quality competitions, solid weeks of training with foreigners, and some great times had with mates on the circuit.
The final event of the trip was Sail for Gold, which wrapped up last week in Weymouth, UK. Having been the 2012 Olympic Sailing venue, it was interesting going back there after the 2012 cycle since we have spent a lot of time there over the last three years. Luckily, the weather was fairly sunny for the majority of our time there which made it a nice location train and compete for the final two weeks of our trip. The regatta itself was sailed in a range of conditions, but unfortunately for me I wasn’t on top of my game and made far too many mistakes throughout the week. I sailed a little better towards the end of the regatta, and salvaged a respectable 4th place to finish off my overseas tour. I will learn a lot from debriefing from this event I am sure!
All in all it was an amazing trip, and the goal of getting a heap of quality racing under my belt was definitely achieved. On top of that, my goal of getting experience at the front of the fleet and learning to be one of the leaders during an event was also a success, after finishing on the podium at five of the seven events over the 100 days, consisting of two golds, two silvers and one bronze. I would have to say the highlight of the trip was getting my first ISAF World Cup gold medal in Palma!
I am now home for a month, which will be awesome, but I am sure the time will fly by. Being around family, getting back to my normal bed, into a familiar gym and stuck into a familiar training routine is all a very nice feeling. There is definitely no place like home!
Towards the end of July it is back on the plane for my next trip to Rio, Brazil for our first training block at the 2016 Olympic venue. It is going to be great to start familiarizing myself with the city and local sailing conditions that we will experience there. We are heading over at a similar time of year to when the Olympics will be held in three years from now, and have organized to be there with a top group of foreigners too so the training will be invaluable.
From Rio I fly straight to San Francisco, where I will be based for a month in the build up and during the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. I am also very excited for this different, new challenge! Being in a team environment with a good group of guys will be a cool change, and sailing the extreme AC45 catamarans is going to be awesome!
Thanks to everyone for the continued support!
The messages and encouragement when overseas competing for an extended period of time was great.
Cheers!
Andy
