2000 Class Training and Open at Whitefriars Sailing Club
by James & Shirley Clarke 29 Apr 2015 09:54 BST
18-19 April 2015
This April we were fortunate to be able to attend our first 2000 Class Association event, a training and open meeting at Whitefriars Sailing Club. We received a very warm welcome and assistance with rigging along with encouragement and advice from all those who attended, both locals and visitors. This event really is suitable to all levels of sailing abilities. And for those liking a cake and coffee break.
The Saturday was a sunny but very blustery training day with Pete Vincent and this was invaluable teaching, focused at the right level for the individual helm/crew skill level. We were advised you can't learnt it all at once; focus on a few improvements each time. Videoing us out on the water really helped to see where we needed to make the improvements, and it was great to sit back and relax at the end of the day, with cake, watching how everyone had done. Despite the strong winds, everyone came away with plenty of things to work on.
Sunday was race day, where we shared the lake with the British Moths and local club racers. Fortunately the wind had dropped slightly so there were more thrills than spills. Eight 2000s took part in a three race series, which was just fantastic, with close racing throughout the fleet. We have never had the opportunity to race with other 2000s before, and it was very rewarding with all levels of sailors on the water. The top places were closely fought with plenty of on-the-water duels. Jenny and James managed to build an overall lead and demonstrate advanced racing skills, such as helming whilst hanging out the back of the boat by a toe strap. See, anyone can fall in at any time! We surprised ourselves with one of our best day's sailing and came third overall for the day.
It has certainly inspired us to look at the upcoming 2000s' calendar for the year and we are now looking forward to meeting some familiar faces.