Dave Perry hosts Blind Match Racing Clinic in the USA
by Lucy Hodges 19 Sep 2016 10:27 BST
12-18 September 2016
Blind matching clinic with Dave Perry © Blind Sailing
This week has seen three country's come together and attend a blind matching clinic run by Dave Perry. With thanks to Sheboygan Yacht Club and SEAS the teams came together to progress the sport before the Blind Match Racing World Championships, starting on the 21st September.
The clinic was run over three days, with three focuses the main focus Boat Handling and Boat Speed, then overlaying Tactics. Great Britain had five sailors attend the training each tacking away different aspects, but each hanging on to Dave Perry's words that if you can sail your boat fast and control your boat at slow speed you have the bases of making a good match racer.
Dave Perry shared his knowledge with heart and passion something that when listening and using the images you are creating to understand the training is key, each morning was spent in the class room and then moved out on to the water separating on to two courses. There was no hanging back the training was at pace, with Dave Perry following with his loud hailer pushing all sailors to get into close quarter situations. By the end of day three even those sailors new to match racing had learnt to control there boat and engage with their competitors and enter into the pre-start and start circling trying to gain the first penalty.
It was a great opportunity for all and was great to hear Dave Perry say, "I have not changed what I do from my sighted clinic and also watching teams out on the water progress and seeing individuals gain confidence has been truly heart warming."
Great Britain are truly thankful to all that have supported and made this clinic possible for all and are also thankful to AQL for supporting Great Britain and enabling Ian Shirra to support the team for the whole period.
Great Britain are now getting set for the Blind Match Racing World Championships starting on the 21st September, follow our progress at: