Day 2 of the 2009 Optimist Europeans - Recalling the past

The 2009 Europeans held off Piran, Slovenia have provided enormous challenges for the Australian Team. 42 nations competing sending sailors that represent the pinnacle of competition in their respective countries creates a fleet equipped with immense talent. This new environment has been a psychological struggle for some of our sailors due to the intensity, calibre and depth of such a fleet and trying to satisfy hopes and expectations.

The starts have proved to be one of the main areas that our sailors are battling with. If they are able to pop out ahead of their nearest competitors at the start it inevitably allows them options to sail their own strategy. However, sheeting on too late results in a lack of options as one attempts to gain clear air. The GPS tracking system used throughout the regatta allows for closer scrutineering of the race, subsequent to the sailors coming ashore. It also reveals that our Australian sailors do not lack speed, but that the shifts are somewhat persistent and some strategic errors are being made.

The weather in Slovenia is very unique. It is affected by developing thunderstorms in Italy, Austria and Slovenia as well as the gradient breezes. These local disturbances often result in the wind being incredibly variable in both strength and direction. These unfamiliar scenarios are adding to our sailors experiences and development in being able to recognise and forecast wind conditions.

Despite day 1 of the regatta being a rude awakening to the fate sailors face when racing in Europe, all of our sailors have shown solid conviction in trying to improve their results by being more agressive in all avenues of racing, and will hopefully canvas future successful Australian sailors.

Ryan Hannan