It really didn’t feel like a year had past since the last youth nationals, its getting harder to keep track of the time! Nevertheless I arrived to a very sunny and warm Hayling Island for my first U21 event in the Laser Standard class. I was feeling good going into the regatta, lots of time on the water over the winter and some really high quality training.
Before the racing started on Monday I had a few days training on the water along with a few bike rides to spin the legs out after the light wind sessions. It was also the first event with me sporting the new Engine 710 decals on the new hull and the trailer, big shout out to Ben for sorting my trailer out at his new workshop!
We had a mix of conditions throughout the week, from light to heavy winds and shifty to steady winds; it was great to get a spread of conditions over the regatta! I found the racing and the changing conditions pretty tough to say the least and didn’t quite feel at my best. I struggled with my race strategy and always seemed to be on the back foot. However, it was brilliant experience in a popular racing venue – especially with the added pressure of selections.
In the end it wasn’t quite the outcome I was hoping for. I finished 12th overall, very disappointing considering that I am more than capable of a top 5 finish. Unfortunately I haven’t been re-selected for the British Youth Sailing Team this summer, which is hard to take. But that only means it’s onwards and upwards from here!
Lewis
2017 Youth Nationals Laser:
http://events.sailracer.org/eventsites/results-rya.asp?eventid=208951&class=Laser