Sublime training in 29ers for all comers
by Bill Tucker 23 Nov 2011 07:31 GMT
29er Inlands at Grafham © Thom Touw
High amongst the myriad of pleasures that sailing offers mere mortals is the sheer thrill, adrenaline and excitement of skiff sailing. The 29er Open Training this autumn has shown that this pleasure is open to all. The Open training sessions have attracted upwards of 40 boats from all over the country and with coaches like Ian Martin, Phil Walker and a host of Olympic Squad guys the quality has been superb. This coming weekend at Rutland there will be 45 boats with a coach ratio of 1 to 6 boats!
When learning how to skiff it is inevitable that a reasonable amount of breaststroke is also practiced. However the learning curve is fast resulting in high octane racing very quickly indeed. As ever with racing sailing, the winner is the one who makes the fewest mistakes, and in skiffs… well, let’s just say you can’t hide the mistakes!
This years new crop of 29er sailors is large, talented and good fun. With the likes of Vikki Payne & Steffi Orton as role models (they started in 29ers 16 months ago and made last winters transition squad and this year were 4th at the nationals, 3rd at the Inlands and 9th at the Eurocup in Garda last month) the stars are in their eyes! With the likes of Murray Hampshire from Oppies, Luke Berry & Henry Morley from Toppers and Jovian Short & Jacob Barnett from the RS Fevas amongst a whole host optimism and hope is shining brightly.
This winter there is an Open training session a month. Just visit the class website under the events tab to find out where and when. So quite aside from that sublime skiff feeling it’s all about the craic – and boy, do they have that too!