Day 1 of Racing Laser Radial Worlds, Santander, Spain

I am sitting in 57th place out of 120 today after scoring a 23 and a 37 in two light air races. Speed was okay, but my starts were not good and I found myself playing catchup early on in both races.

Tomorrow:
Focus on starting - separating the defending my space phase from building a hole phase once we are locked in. See both ends of the line.

Looking to improve my scores tomorrow. Today's conditions were a very light sea breeze after morning fog burned off. Tomorrow may be similar. Swell and current made for interesting sailing.

Thank you!

THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to my campaign! I would not be here at the Worlds without your help so I am bringing you with me on the water. I am extremely fortunate to have the most amazing team of friends and family behind me.

Only one practice day left - Santander

If you haven't been following, I am currently in Santander, Spain which is on the North coast in Cantabria. I am about to begin racing in the Women's Laser Radial Worlds which is also part of the ISAF Sailing World Championships (only happens every 4 years). It's like the Olympics, but only for sailing. In my class, the Women's Singlehanded (aka: Laser Radial), there are 120 competitors from 58 countries, 3 of us are from the USA.  There are a total of 10 Olympic classes here competing for World Champion status and everyone is working hard in anticipation of the Olympics in 2016.

Olympic Sailing Classes:

Women's Singlehanded (Laser Radial)

Men's Singlehanded (Laser)

Men's Heavy Singlehanded (Finn)

Women's Doublehanded (470)

Men's Doublehanded (470)

Women's High Performance Doublehanded (49erFX)

Men's High Performance Doublehanded (49er)

Mixed Multihull (Nacra 17 Catamaran)

Women's Windsurfing (RSX)

Mens Windsurfing (RSX)

We are racing on the Bay of Biscay - which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. That means we have waves! Today's practice was beautiful again, warm, sunny, a beautiful strong sea breeze (about 15 or 16 knots) and nice waves. There are a lot of weeds in the water here.

Racing starts on Friday, so we only have one practice day left. I can't wait for the competition to begin! You can check results and info about the regatta here: www.Santander2014.com

As you can see from the photos, it is a beautiful place to sail and a beautiful city. We are sailing on course HP and Freixenet the first two days.

Tomorrow night is the Opening Ceremonies.

Santander update

Used my new race sail today and it is amazing the difference between new and old. All my settings are totally different. Yesterday I was slow upwind in light air and I hope it was due to the old sail. Today was beautiful! 15-17 knots and nice waves! I am all measured in and mostly registered. Just have to keep practicing the next couple days and get over my nerves and own some practice starts.

Sept 7th - Santander

So after no wind this morning a nice sea breeze filled in. We had practice races and starts in 14 - 17 knots and some medium waves. My goal for tomorrow is to raise my confidence level. I have to say I was intimidated by all the good sailors and did not sail like I was in charge. A few good practice starts, but pulled the trigger a little late for the actual races and had to tack out and duck boats. Speed seemed fine, but for some reason I was letting doubt about all kinds of things get into my head. Tomorrow that will change and I will sail with confidence and initiative and focus on killer starts.

On a side note - Santander is a beautiful city especially from the ocean. There are city rental bikes and I rode all around the waterfront yesterday evening. There are some big hills.

Our launching area is about in the middle of the picture, and we sail on the ocean off the picture to the right.

In Santander

I got to Santander last night and met the hostess of the apartment I am staying in. Her name is Josefina and she is very nice. She is helping me with my Spanish, which is terrible, but hopefully it will be better when I have been here a few days.

Today's Program:

• Woke up at 3am
• Tried to sleep until 7
• Ate breakfast
• Walked to Sailing Center
• Found boat
• Put boat together
• Had lunch
• Waited for wind
• Light air sailing
• Walked to apartment
• Groceries
• Run
• Dinner
• Computer time and making new vang
• Can't go till bed until 10 in order to sleep the whole night - eyes are closing...

Packing to leave

In town

The harbor

Old dry dock next to our launch ramp

The Spanish sailing center CEAR

Somebody launching early (no wind yet)

In town

In town

A market

My room

Laser Atlantic Coast Championships at Sail Maine good prep for the Worlds

A great two day regatta at Sail Maine in Portland. 5 races the first day in 8-16 knots, and 2 races the second day in 0-7 knots. The conditions were sunny and beautiful.

I won the regatta with a good margin, but it was not an easy event. John Kirkpatrick who I have been practicing with all summer, Corrinne Peters from Halifax, Graham Kilvert, Connor Bayless, and Giovanni Ronco were putting the pressure on all weekend. I credit my success to a good mindset which led to good decision making. I applied what I learned at CORK, and what I have been reading in The Inner Game of Tennis.

I haven't finished the book yet, and I learn more every chapter I read. I am starting to understand how to let go of my frustrations. It seems that all my distress over bad decisions made during a race is usually a result of wanting something. This weekend I focused on seeing clearly 'what is' - no wanting allowed! - It goes hand in hand with awareness and 'head out of the boat' sailing. I am excited about this revelation because I think it will help my consistency in big regattas. - If I can stay in that frame of mind.  It was awesome to practice this mind set right before leaving for the Worlds. I know that it will be much harder to stay un-emotional when I want (see that word?) to sail to the best of my ability and show everyone what I am capable of.