Budding Fireball World Champions returned to the splendid venue of Draycote for the now annual training session. Thanks to Ian Priest and his team; Becky Priest, Tim Saunders, Tom Foskett and Richard Wagstaff for a well orgainsed and run event.
Expectations we set early on Saturday morning, as Becky and Tim demonstrated boat trim, balance and team work on the Draycote slipway, the yellow slipway caution sign benefiting from close encounter of the Double Stacker kind!
Light winds on Saturday morning provided an ideal environment for the four windward/leeward 2 lap practice courses. Trainees were impressed with the tactical settings of the windward mark, or was it the shifting wind ? The mornings video footage provided the instructors material for a multimedia coaching lunch in the bar. The dying wind then gave Waggers the opportunity to run through his heavy weather boat speed , tacking and gibing techniques on video. Waggers then lead a round of boat technology fixing before we retired to the Draycote club bar for dinner and Becky’s evening quiz.
Sunday dawned a different day and it quickly became apparent as to those who’d listened to Waggers on Saturday. By lunchtime the whole fleet were able to manage championship style starts. After the customary multimedia lunch the fleet went on to practice championship courses in the lively conditions. The gusty F4/5 providing an ideal challenging environment to test nerve and learn conversational gibing skills.
All in all an excellent weekend, looking forward to seeing you all at the front in La Rochelle !
Pete Slack FB15016 “May Contain Nuts”
