Airport Life
Written by Stephen Park | 21 March 2010
Right now I'm sitting drinking coffee at the airport pondering the forthcoming weeks, with the European legs of the ISAF World Cup circuit about to begin in Palma on 27th March 2010.
Airports are a necessary evil of International competition, some are better than others to spend your time in, but I can’t say I ever think of them as desirable places to visit! At least today’s flight appears to be on schedule and I should be in Palma to meet Morgan Reeser (470 coach) for dinner, where I will enjoy discussion about whether we should eat in what has become the “usual” restaurant, near Arenal marina, or perhaps try something new. I'm on Tapas, so maybe I’ll suggest La Bovida, in the old town, which is always buzzing with life and gives us a warm welcome.
“On schedule” flights have become a little more rare of late – 2 weeks ago I ended up spending an unexpected night in Barcelona when my flight was cancelled due to the French air traffic controllers striking, and now it will soon be the British Airways crew taking their turn to draw attention to their plights. I get the impression that the regular travellers around the airport are losing patience with such delays. However, there is nothing we can do, so I guess the best approach is to control the controllable and make the best of it.
In 24 hours the majority of our team’s sailors will have arrived and be preparing for the squad training camp that begins on Tuesday. Most will use the week to test upgraded or recently acquired equipment, refined since the beginning of the World Cup in January. For others it will be an opportunity to get some last minute race training, maybe practicing starts or specific techniques. It will be good to see them all again. Some will be on the road now, driving to Barcelona to catch the overnight ferry, others, like me will be flying in. All will be trying to keep the travelling time to a minimum – a necessary evil to get to the next location.
You can follow the team's results during Palma via Twitter or Facebook, I'll be back at the end of the regatta with another blog! Thanks for your support, Sparky.