Patience and Glanfield enjoy first Spanish lesson at Santander Worlds Test Event
Written by RYA | 09 September 2013
470 duo gain solid start to Santander Worlds test regatta
Luke Patience and Joe Glanfield hailed their first race day at the Santander City Trophy (Monday 9 September) as ‘crazy’, with shifting winds and a big sea state providing a tough mental and physical test at this test regatta for the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships.
The duo enjoyed a solid opening day to sit in equal first position after two races in the 32-boat 470 men’s fleet, with the 27-year-old Scotsman Patience keen to continue their so far positive learning experience this week in preparation for the main event next year.
“Fundamentally the reason we’re here is to gather as much information as we can about the venue, to put us in a better place to execute a good regatta next year,” the 2012 Olympic silver medallist explained.
“That being said, we’re not here practising, we are here on the race course and ultimately we’re pushing as hard as we can to win the races and try and race as immaculately as we can.
“It’s an interesting place. I actually really like it. I really enjoy west of Europe sailing – it means we’re on the ocean, it means the waves are big and I think that’s probably what most Brits were brought up to do!”
“Our course was crazy!” admitted the two-time Olympic silver medallist Glanfield, enjoying his first season back in the 470 after a coaching stint for Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark during the London 2012 cycle.
“It was hard work, just from the fact that the wind was shifting so much. I think it was the first time that Luke and I had sailed in that crazy a wind, so it was interesting just to see how we did and if there were any teething problems, but it all felt quite good. We were going quite well actually.
“[The swell] really adds to it, because instead of just concentrating on the wind which you’d like to do on a shifty day, sailing the boat was tough. It lent itself well to our roles in the boat though – we’ve got quite split roles and that worked out quite well for us.”
The Exmouth sailor added that the conditions could be described as Rio-like at times today.
“I haven’t been to Rio yet but I’ve heard that out of the harbour there’s quite a big swell, so I guess there are some similarities particularly when we’ve had the light-ish winds today.
“It’s really hard conditions so really it’s just good practice for everything. There’s a lot to do on the race course if you’re going to do well in the races.”
Monday also saw the start of racing in Santander for the 470 Women’s class, where 2012 silver medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark are poised fourth after two races at their second event back since the Games, with fellow Podium squad sailors Sophie Weguelin and Eilidh McIntyre in eighth.
Racing gets underway on Tuesday (10 September) in the Nacra 17 and RS:X Men’s and Women’s windsurfing events, as well as the 49er and 49erFX classes although the British skiff crews are in Marseilles training ahead of their World Championships at the end of the month.
Racing dates for Santander City Trophy:
470 Men, 470 Women, Finn: Racing commences Monday 9 September, with medal racing on Saturday 14 September
49er, 49erFX, Nacra 17, RS:X Men, RS:X Women: Racing commences Tuesday 10 September, with medal racing on Sunday 15 September
Laser, Laser Radial: Racing commences on Thursday 12 September, with medal racing on Sunday 15 September
For full regatta results and information visit
www.santander2014.com
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