Hyeres we are!
Written by Alexandra Rickham | 23 April 2011
After a full on week at the 1st official Paralympic Camp of the year in Weymouth, both Niki and I were pretty tired.
On the Friday we had to get on the water late due to a lack of breeze so pack up for Hyeres was very late. Rob Partridge, ex 49er Development Squad member came on as a training partner for the week so he helped Niki strap down the boat and I got on with packing all the boxes of spares etc.
After a long day the last thing you want to do is pack into the evening. Anyway that sorted on Saturday I had to pack all my luggage, chairs, sailing seats, toolboxes into my car (you couldn’t see light between all the bits). Then Kaia my P.A. had to hook on the trailer and off we went to the RYA store where our coach Marcus would be driving the trailer from Southampton.
At the store we were going to have to take of our boxes to go in the RYA van. Conveniently Ed who manages all RYA equipment was on site so he did all the socket wrench work, whilst Kaia and I looked very DIY defficient on the sidelines. All boxed and battened down the next part was up to Marcus.
Sunday was all about the relaxing and the Grand Prix for both of us as in separate locations we got to see (Surrey team) McLaren get their first race win of the season.
On Tuesday we headed out to Hyeres. Niki headed south at some ridiculous hour of the morning. I jumped on good old public transport and crossed London to get to Stansted. Both of us for the first time got there without a hitch. On arrival we realsed we were travelling with fellow team members John and Steve from the Sonar, and 49ers Mark and Paul (sounds a bit like we were travelling with the apostles, pretty apt considering it’s Easter). In Hyeres we got beautiful weather warm good breeze. Marcus was a little behind us and drove in with our little ship about an hour later. He was bouncing having had 1 hours sleep and quite obviously a lot of coffee!
As we were about to start getting the boat ready, the Sonar boys called to say something was wrong with our accom. A big mix up meant we had no wheelchair accessible rooms. After a lot of time spent by John and Steve, sorting it out we were able to swap with the very kind Israeli Sonar team. So John, Steve, Kaia and I spent the night in a titchy apartment, not meant for 2 wheelchairs. Niki moved in with Hannah. The next day Kaia and I moved to another hotel.
Wednesday was boat day. Getting it all rigged and put together. That done we took some down time.
On Thursday there was only one word for it, Champagne sailing. Amazing day, big waves, sunshine. Niki and I have spent so little time in big waves and swell it was perfect practice and the Israeli team joined us which was great. The breeze started to kick up later as a pending storm was brewing.
Friday was blowing like a beast only some Finn and Laser sailors hit the water. I think our little SKUD wouldn’t have liked it. Niki took some down time as he has been running on all cylinders for weeks. I got on with registration and measurement. Now we have reached Saturday and rain mixed in with the crazy wind has meant little time has been spent on the Med but we feel good for the start of the regatta tomorrow.
It is great that we managed to get a fleet this year and what is even better is that so many new teams are here from Israel, France, Spain. The class is finally growing which is brilliant. Next update from the race week.