Jon Emmett's Highland Christmas Cracker!
by Ben Yeats 27 Dec 2013 07:18 GMT
21-22 December 2013
Richard Evans, Ben Yeats, Ian Renilson, Angus Richardson, Fin Macaulay-Smith, Melissa Brady, Natalie Dunton, Jack Evans, Thomas Hardie, Jon Emmett, Ross Slater, Niall Ferguson, Magnus Henry, Charlie Wilson & Paul Bartlett © CSC
Supported by Highland & Moray Sailing
Jon Emmett is clearly a man in demand as an Olympic winning coach, and kindly offered his only free weekend of the year to Highland & Moray Sailing. The event was hosted by Chanonry SC a "wee club" located halfway between Weymouth and Iceland (it felt more like Iceland!). The event attracted fourteen hardy Laser sailors from across the Highland region and beyond, ranging in age from fifteen to fifty something. Additional on the water coaching support was provided by Paul Bartlet of RYA Scotland and Richard Evans, with Richard Jenner providing a third RIB for additional safety cover.
Despite an unfavourable forecast Jon exploited a window of opportunity to go sailing on Saturday and Sunday morning. Saturday morning was a shorter training session of around 90minutes which involved plenty of swimming practice as winds eventually built to 35 knots. One by one the sailors returned to the shore battered and bruised with Ian Renilson and Ross Slater demonstrating skill to make it ashore during a particularly ferocious squall. To make the best use of the forecast on Sunday, Jon arranged an extra early start which involved rigging boats in the dark. The testing conditions were more manageable and Jon spent time with each sailor videoing their drills on the water. Both sailing sessions were followed by very insightful video analysis and plenty of cake eating.
Aspects of the coaching weekend included an introduction to the winning mind and what it takes to win a Gold medal. Jon's racing anecdotes and technical insights interspersed with references to Lijia Xu who overcame adversity to win Olympic Gold at London 2012, were truly inspirational.
This event would not have been possible without the support of Highland & Moray Sailing and RYA Scotland. Thanks should also go to Chanonry SC club for hosting the event and providing organisation, safety cover and excellent soup and cakes.