Training Camp

Jen here,

This week Erin and I sailed in a training camp put on by the Canadian Sailing Team.  The camp was run for Paralympic athletes as well as 470's, and CST coach Brian Todd was in town from Halifax for the camp.  Between Brian and Steve McBride, we had four days of great training ranging from physical training up at the sport centre, short course work on the water, post clinic massage, and even a nutrition session.  While Erin was available during the evenings, she had work commitments during the day and so I sailed with a stand in crew named Tyler Kiefer.  The first day of the camp was a bit intense given that Tyler and I had sailed against each other, but never together. Despite our best efforts, the 35 knot south easterly blowing into the bay proved to be a bit too much for us and so we had to cut our sailing session short.  As the week progressed Tyler and I worked on starts and communication.  This weekend we got a chance to apply our training in a local regatta (Spring Dinghies at Royal Vic).  Erin and I sailed against Tyler and another Royal Vic sailor, Mike Leitch,  in some finicky and blustery conditions.  Saturday in particular was a challenge, as the breeze was an average 15-18 knots, but a few 30 knot puffs knocked down the whole fleet at one point.  Erin and I were feeling pretty good about ourselves during these conditions, until we wiped out just after gybing and turned our spinnaker into shredded lettuce!  Today was much more calm, and we got two races off.  Thanks to Tyler for sailing the training camp with me and to both boys for the great racing this weekend!

CST Nutritional Seminar