Perhaps the most memorable part of going to the European Laser Standard Youth Championships at Gdynia in Poland was the somewhat traumatic drive there and back on the corrugated Polish roads and it was not only my mother's driving. Certainly shook up my reactions fin readiness for the competition!
In the run up to the Championships I went to Warnemunde and this was a really solid regatta which set me up for the competition ahead and the European way of sailing. Gdynia was a brilliant place to sail. We had a good mix of conditions in the qualifying series only missing one days sailing due to light winds. I was quite glad of this as I was in the danger zone for qualifying for the Gold Fleet!
The Gold Fleet was an awesome competition with 62 of the best European Youth Sailors. I managed a 9 and 15 place which was great, just went to the opposite end of the fleet with my other two results! But ended up 46 overall and 9th under 19. A result I could only dream of in this my first real international event at this class.
I now have Sail for Gold Olympic Class Regatta and the World Laser Standard Junior Championships at the end of the month to work towards. Just wish me good luck........I will definitely need it in that company.
