A successful Kiel Week!
Written by Megan Pascoe | 23 June 2011
Kiel Week saw an end to the 2010/2011 ISAF World Cup series. With many Brits relaxing after Sail for Gold, or preparing for the Europeans Kiel wasn’t well attended but I was very happy to be representing Skandia Team GBR to make sure we finished on top of the medal table.
I knew I had a chance at a medal but I was over the moon that I managed to come back with the gold I have been searching for all year. Kiel was an Open event for the 2.4mR class, meaning that even though the Paralympic sailors were few, the able-bodied turned up in force.
It is an amazing class when we can get 30 boats even when the Worlds are only 10 days away. I find it even more amazing that there is over half a century in age between the oldest competitor and the youngest with that not making the blindest bit of difference as to how fast you go.
I remember having dinner with the British and Swedish sailors earlier in the week and Hans Asklund mentioned that he finished sailing Finn dinghy in 1967. The rest of the table then worked out what they were doing in that year. When my mum said she was only 10, I realised that age is actually only a number and that sailing brings so many people together.
We had 10 races in total in Kiel with the usual wet and cold weather but at least there was wind. The offshore shifty conditions paid in my favour, and I’m now looking forward to the IFDS Worlds in a few days’ time.
So it is back to Weymouth and back to work!