ISA Optimist Squad 2009-2010 Update from Vigo from Thomas Chaix

Final update Sunday Nov 1st.

Saturday was light, very light! we all had an early start at the hotel to start waiting for the wind. The team was very good keeping focus ashore trying to remain calm and ready. after a long 5 hours wait, we finally launched in 2-3 kts of breeze. the team reacted promptly and was very efficient at getting their race prep underway afloat. Unfortunately the  winds kept shifting around and the OOD gave up after 2 hours of trying to set a course.

Sunday... We had wind and the forecast was pretty good... but it really felt like home with a very wet day in store! with 4 races at the program it was to be a long day... the sailors paid attention to details before launching and the first day of the week with more than 10 kts was definitely bringing a few smiles. the races got underway with a surprise! the Current had turned around which surprised almost the full squad which got caught at the windward mark failing to re-adjust their layline... And Sean Donnelly went for a swim (nice capsize on the run!). Our best finisher was Daire in 16th in the 2nd race. The second race went underway with an even poorer visibility, an increase of the wind to 15-18 kts and a team that had finally cope on the effect of the current. Conor sailed a solid 4th in the first race with Peter (10th) and Cian (16th) on his tail. in the other race Patrick was starting to show his speed to climb the fleet up to 4th. And the wind picked again a little displaying a few gusts at 20kts. Patrick and Cian let their fitness take over and launched like bullets off the start line to round !st and 3rd at the first windward with just Carlos Robles (ranked 10 in the world) that managed to keep up the pace. the downwind was not the best and  they found themseves under pressure again before the last beat and after a few mistakes they settled for 5th and 9th. on his race, Seafra finally found pace to come back from an average start into 6th. Daire (13th) and Conor (17th) were not far.

Overall, as we had no discards, points were high. It was to be a Spannish win on their home ground, but it was a good warm up for the Irish before Palma... And we did get some silverware with Peter 2nd U12 and Daire 4th U12. our best finisher was Seafra in 17th.

results after 4 races
17. Seafra
21. Peter, 2nd U12
25. Daire, 4th U12
29. Conor
40. Patrick
45. Ruairi
65. Cian, 16th U12
74. Adam, 20th U12
82. Robert, 24th U12
84. Sophie, 26th U12
85. Sean D, 27th U12
96. Sean GR, 33rd U12
97. Philip
114. Erica, 41st U12
142. Cliodhna, 54th U12
148. Eoin, 56th U12

228 participants (GBR, IRL, AND, DEN, NOR, POR, ESP, SUI, HUN), 96 U12

A BIG thank to our team mums who assisted the team with dedication make our life as easy as it could have been for a full week. It is great to have someone like Louise making her own family life on hold for a week to help the squad progressing

next trip. Palma!

Update Vigo - Friday 30th Oct

We concluded our 3 days training by a morning tactical talk with the sailors before going to the club. We also had individual talk with each of them to identify there goals for the event.

day one racing! 230 boats entered from ESP, NOR, POR, GBR, HUN, DEN, SUI and IRL. so we have been split on two flights.

today was a late start with the objective of 2 possibly three races... but the light shifty breeze combined with the strong current only allowed one race as several recall did not allow a second one to get launched.

in the first flight, Peter and Daire where carrying the colours high at the windward both inside the top 10. Seafra had a good end to his first beat rounding the top mark in 16th just a place behind Philip. Daire almost capsized at the jibe (lack of concentration for a second I suppose), recovered , bailed and still squeezed in 10th at the bottom gate just 3 behind Peter and one ahead of Seafra who had a rocket run! on the line Peter pipped 2 boats to take 5th.
Group 1 results
5. Peter McCann
10. Daire Cournane
12. Seafra Guilfoyle
21. Philip Brownlow
38. Sophie Browne
42. Conor Murphy
46. Sean Gambier Ross
48. Robert Dickson

The second flight really struggled to get off the line. after several recall, when they finally went, a big gust came on the left  side allowing about 20 boats to catch a unsaisisable lead. Sean Donnelly was the quickest to see it and settled rapidely in the leading bunch. Adam was also in the right group working the left side... unfortunately the other Irish missed it and were left fighting mid/back of the fleet trying to make a way back the right side of the course with limited success. Sean kept his calm and despite letting the leading two away on a small mistake on the run, he secured a excellent 3rd.
group 2 results
3. sean Donnelly
8 Adam Hyland
45. Ruairi Finnegan
49. Erica Ruigrok
68. Patrick Crosbie
90. Cliodhna O Regan
93. Eoin Lyden
96. Cian Byrne

Tomorrow we have a very early start and we expect a long day in the predicted light winds from the south.

Update Vigo - Wednesday 28th Oct

The team has now settled into a routine... Training, debrief and little chats... and learning how to behave and interact in a squad structure when abroad... And it is working!
so far winds have been light... very light! the squad has split into two groups and focus has been mainly on speed in light air and understanding sail shaping and adjustments. Video is been used to point out areas of progress. we also covered specific skills required on the start line. holding, acceleration, S technique, double tack...
Tomorrow, we are joining up with an international training camp for a few races before the sart of the event friday.

Update Vigo - Monday 26th Oct

The trailer with 16 optimists has arrived in Vigo after the 2 days long long journey via Ireland, the UK and north Spain. Vigo is hosting the Semana del Atlantico event which will welcome over 300 optimist from all over Europe.
It is our second participation at the event. in 2005, Ross Vaughan, im O Laoire and Cian O Regan had chosen the event in their preparation to the worlds. Cian was our best finisher after 8 hotly contested races when he took 32nd. His best race was a 2nd position. This year, the squad will look at improving on these results with a mix of experienced sailors and younger ones building the experience. The squad is using the event as a preparation to Palma in december... Keep an eye out for further update.
Squad members
RCYC : Peter McCAnn, Cian Byrne, Seafra Guilfoyle, Philip Brownlow, Patrick Crosbie, Eoin Lyden
TBSC : Sophie Browne
RstGYC : Adam Hyland
NYC : Sean Donnelly
SSC : Erica Ruigrok
KYC : Conor Murphy, Cliodhna O Regan, Daire Cournane, Sean Ganbier Ross
SDC : Robert Dicksson
WHSC: Ruari Finnegan