We are now on our way to our next training and competition venue in Hyeres, France. The next few days we will take off and recover with some light fitness and then get back into full-time training over the next 12 days leading into the next World Cup Event in Hyeres.
I finished 5th overall in the Princess Sofia regatta which as an overall result we reached our goal of being in the top 5!! The medal race was a unique race with 5 of the 10 boats all with the chance to finish in 5th position. Including myself and 3 other boats it was a who beats who position in the race.
Our plan was to sail a clean race and try to get out in the front few boats on the first leg. After winning the pin end of the line I was able to stay with the lead pack of 5 boats. Two of the boats that I had to beat were 9th and 10th in the race while myself and one other were in 4th and 5th. The race came down to who could beat who between myself and Ed Wright GBR for 5th overall. I was able to get past Ed on the 1st downwind and stayed in 4th just ahead of him at the 2nd weather mark. Going to the finish I was able to extend and pass the 2 boats in front of me to finish 2nd in the medal race to secure the top 5 finish. This was a huge confidence booster to sail well in a situation where so many boats had the chance to succeed and to come out on top was a great result!! Plus, I can't stand not reaching our goals so this was huge in getting the result we wanted!!
We identified a lot of aspects in the game that has improved dramatically since January at the Miami OCR which is a huge plus. Had I come in the condition and focus I was sailing with at the Miami OCR I clearly would have not performed at the level I did here this week in Palma. That being said there are a number of things that we need to improve to compete for medals at the events which will be our next focus.
We will be focusing on the execution to be more on point at the next event and also to maximize our boat speed in all conditions. There were times during this event that my boat speed was average and it needs to be above average at all times. This will help me to execute better on the course, but I also need to make a few adjustments on my positioning on the course as well as on the start line so I am always in the hunt in each race. We are looking forward to making these adjustments looking toward using them at the next event in just under 2 weeks!!
I would like to thank everyone who supports the campaign and makes our dream a reality. From my personal sponsors, the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics and their sponsors and all the individual donors who make this possible I cannot Thank You enough for all of your support!! I would not be here without you!!
Zach
I finished 5th overall in the Princess Sofia regatta which as an overall result we reached our goal of being in the top 5!! The medal race was a unique race with 5 of the 10 boats all with the chance to finish in 5th position. Including myself and 3 other boats it was a who beats who position in the race.
Our plan was to sail a clean race and try to get out in the front few boats on the first leg. After winning the pin end of the line I was able to stay with the lead pack of 5 boats. Two of the boats that I had to beat were 9th and 10th in the race while myself and one other were in 4th and 5th. The race came down to who could beat who between myself and Ed Wright GBR for 5th overall. I was able to get past Ed on the 1st downwind and stayed in 4th just ahead of him at the 2nd weather mark. Going to the finish I was able to extend and pass the 2 boats in front of me to finish 2nd in the medal race to secure the top 5 finish. This was a huge confidence booster to sail well in a situation where so many boats had the chance to succeed and to come out on top was a great result!! Plus, I can't stand not reaching our goals so this was huge in getting the result we wanted!!
We identified a lot of aspects in the game that has improved dramatically since January at the Miami OCR which is a huge plus. Had I come in the condition and focus I was sailing with at the Miami OCR I clearly would have not performed at the level I did here this week in Palma. That being said there are a number of things that we need to improve to compete for medals at the events which will be our next focus.
We will be focusing on the execution to be more on point at the next event and also to maximize our boat speed in all conditions. There were times during this event that my boat speed was average and it needs to be above average at all times. This will help me to execute better on the course, but I also need to make a few adjustments on my positioning on the course as well as on the start line so I am always in the hunt in each race. We are looking forward to making these adjustments looking toward using them at the next event in just under 2 weeks!!
I would like to thank everyone who supports the campaign and makes our dream a reality. From my personal sponsors, the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics and their sponsors and all the individual donors who make this possible I cannot Thank You enough for all of your support!! I would not be here without you!!
Zach
So what do you think was the difference for the 4 other sailors? A few extra good shifts? speed? sails? fitness? Seems like the difference is so minuscule between 1 and 5.
ReplyDeleteYou are right it is very small differences for sure. I think overall they made some better tactical decisions and had more boat speed. Speed certainly makes you look smarter!!
ReplyDeleteWe have made some pretty big changes and it will take awhile to settle into them 100% but it looks like they were the right ones to make in regards to my body weight and also my equipment. Now we just need to fine tune everything to get the last little bit out of the boat and body and we will be right there!!
Thanks for the support.