World Championships/Olympic Qualifier

Wow…those 2 weeks just flew by. I just arrived back home, I’ll be doing some intense training here for the next 2 weeks before I head back to Cadiz on the 15th.

I had a really productive and focused trip – a combination of some training followed by racing in the Spanish Cup.

We had 8 races in quite light to marginal planning conditions in the Bay of Cadiz which is where our World Championships/Olympic Qualifier will be held in 3 weeks time.

It was great to get a feel for the venue, what the conditions could be like and get settled so that when I do go back in 2 weeks time, I know exactly what I’m in for.

The European Championships were held at the exact same time in Madeira, Portugal as the Spanish Cup in Cadiz. I chose Cadiz.

It was a great choice as there was 25 girls and 13 youth boys competing in my fleet, while there was only 22 girls at the Europeans.

Many top teams were in Cadiz and I had excellent opportunities to tackle what I needed to work on.

With the conditions as light as they were meant I needed to execute my starts and technique very well and call on my fitness to get me around the track.

While I sometimes executed my decisions well, I didn’t at other time…which only means that there is room for refinement in these areas.

I was extremely fortunate to have a great support team there; giving me immediate feedback and helping me adjust my strategy so I could move forward, race by race. I finished 9th overall in the regatta.

I sailed a great regatta, and although I made tactical errors here and there, I gave it my all and in these conditions it showed.

I have made huge improvements in what WERE my weakest conditions, and I’m only going to get better.

Very stoked with my progress, it fuels my motivation even more, something I’ll need to call on and remember during these next two intense weeks of training.

The photo is of Nikola training with the Italian Team.
Nikola