UK RS Feva Invitational Training Camp at Hayling Island Sailing Club
by Debbie Darling 25 Mar 2014 15:22 GMT
22-23 March 2014
RS Feva sailing at Hayling © Martin Allen
Over eighty boats from across the country joined together for the UK RS Feva Invitational Training Camp at Hayling Island Sailing Club on March 22/23.
The UK Junior Squad and Class National Squad trained together under the watchful eye of National Coach Dave Hivey (RS800/400/200/Laser guru); his Assistant Coach Alain Sign (49er Olympic Development Squad- ODS); mentor Mark Rushall (Paralympic coach); CNS coach Kat Best (49erFX ODS). They were joined by the top Dutch Feva sailors who came over to take a look at how we train in the UK. This group of 20 boats went out in the bay on Saturday morning to practice in waves before joining the rest of the groups in some big line starting practice.
Meanwhile S/SW & E/SE Zone Squads joined forces with coaches Paul Childs (RS100 Champ & Finn) & Chris Taylor (ex Feva Champ & 49er). Sailors from the training camps at Burnham, Hayling, Torquay, Chew Valley, Bewl Valley, London & Rutland were all making the most of training together.
In the evening Mark Covell (Star Silver Medallist and America's Cup Commentator) gave an amazing talk about the 'behind the scenes' action in San Francisco.
Sunday dawned bright and a little too breezy, so the trapezoid championship course was set within the harbour, but as the boats arrived at the course area there were black clouds brewing. After two general recalls the fleet got away with Piers Nicolls & Freddie Peters crossing the fleet on port as the black cloud pulled the wind left. By the windward mark the wind began to strengthen and within 10 minutes the storm hit. The majority of the fleet capsized and after a 38 knot wind spike the hail stones fell.
After a wet and wild 15 minutes the fleet started to regain composure with many calling it a day. Whilst some hoped for another start the majority of the groups headed home. Finally the National Squads went back out to complete the race training they began.
82 boats, 14 ribs and lots of volunteers made this an event to remember. The Dutch boys commented, "that was the best training we've ever done!".