It’s been a busy period with lots of different projects going on so it was great to go out to Finland for the 2.4mR Worlds and go racing! Unfortunately Ian my coach could not be with me as he was in Rio coaching at the test event, but it did mean that Steve my husband could come and support me both on and off the water
It was an amazing fleet of 104 boats, biggest fleet I think I have ever raced in, certainly with everyone all on the same start line!
I love the the 2.4mR Worlds as it’s when everyone comes together to race each other, able bodied, disabled, young and the more mature, female and male. It’s when the 2.4mR shows what a brilliant class of boat it is that we can all compete on an even playing field. This year saw an amazing fleet of 104 boats, biggest fleet I think I have ever raced in, certainly with everyone all on the same start line!
It was really tricky racing with some long days on the water. The race committee had a choice of two race courses, the better and bigger one being at least an hour sail or more from the club, so they opted for the smaller closer one, which made for some compact starts and first beats.
My results were rather mixed posting four 2nds and a 5th, but then having some rather poor results in the early twenties when I got caught up on the start line with other boats and struggled to pull through the fleet on such a small course. With such a big fleet and tight racing the start was everything as there were no clear lanes if you got it wrong.
Going into the last race I still had a chance to get onto the podium, only 4 points off Heiko in 3rd, but it was a whacky first beat with the wind dying and not helped by Heiko having a great last race and finishing 2nd.
So I ended up 5th overall, certainly not a bad result, but I always like to be be on the podium.
Stellan Berlin once again demonstrated his dominance in the class convincingly winning another World Championships, I have lost count how many he has now won!
The great thing was there were 6 Paralympic sailors in the top 10! With Bjørnar from Norway having an amazing consistent regatta to finish 2nd and Heiko from Germany 3rd. The next Paralympic sailor being myself in 5th.
So I have had a week at home sorting out dead pigeons and maggots in the loft and generally getting back on top of things and before heading out to Rio in September for training. Before I go though, I am taking part in part of the Deloitte ride with Selwyn Cooper from Volvo. It’s a ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats, we are doing the stage from Okehampton to Bath, just a mere 110 miles with 6,532 ft of climbing. Should keep me quite on the flight to Rio!
Best Wishes
Helena
Sent from my iPad