Mom's Post

I'm so proud of Dane!  He's been a wonderful traveling companion.  He wakes early each morning, rigs his boat and gets geared up by himself without complaint.  He's been fighting a cold and cough and has been very responsible about avoiding the gelato and waffles.  The competition has been quite intense.  Many Europeans come to this regatta to practice for Worlds.  And many of his US team members have several International Regattas under their belts.  The first two days of sailing have been 20 plus knots, 8' plus high waves and heavy currents that change directions during the course of the day.  The regatta is held out in the North Sea and it's about a 45-minute tow from the dock and they're on the water for about 6 hours/day.  Although Dane's results have been less than he had hoped for, he's sailed back to the dock with a smile. He's made some great friends and overall I think, this has been an amazing growth experience for him.  

Day Two Sailing

Today the conditions were the same as yesterday:  very windy, lots of current and big waves. We're sailing out in the North Sea.  It takes us about 40 minutes to be towed out to the starting line.  I am learning a lot.  I did a little better today.  I am fighting a cold and cough and hope to feel stronger tomorrow.  One of the parents said the first international regatta is the hardest. The locals said it is supposed to be really warm and lighter tomorrow - better for me!

First Day of Racing

Today we started with an opening ceremony.  The flags of the 12 countries sailing in the regatta were raised on the flag poles.  There are 100 sailors racing Optimists.  A Belgium military helicopter flew over to start the regatta.  That was very cool.  We had our first race at 3:00.  It was blowing about 20 to 25 knots.  I did not have a great day of sailing, but I learned a lot.  The waves were really big and the starting line was very roomy.  After the day of racing we had a ceremony where we marched with our flag and gave a little speech.

Practice

We had a good practice today.  It started as medium winds, then in the afternoon it got windy (about 20 knots and whitecaps and lots of current).  Our practice was five hours long.  It was fun.  I have a drysuit so I am really warm and dry.  We are having a team dinner tonight at a pizza parlor(:

Nieuwpoort

We had a little problem with our adaptor plugs so that is why I am posting this late.  Today I met my team members and we had a short sail because it was so windy that the coach was worried that it might break someone's rig.  There was a lot of wind and current.  Then we played soccer on the beach - it was fun!

Ghent

We flew into Amsterdam at 1:00pm Amsterdam time.  We rented a cute little car.  It is very small.  We drove 2-hours to Ghent.  Then we took a boat ride through the Ghent canals.  We saw a medieval castle, St. Michael's Church and a big tunnel that must have been hundreds of years old.  We had lunch and dessert at a VW van that sold gelato - it was good.

Lacrosse

I survived the three lacrosse games, plus I scored a goal and made an assist. So I am off to Belgium without a scratch.  

Thank you

My bags are packed and I am hydrated and ready to go.  The only thing is that I have three Lacrosse games before I fly. And before I fly, I would like to thank everyone who helped support me. I would like to thank my grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and SBYC, SBYF, and the SBYC Women's Group.  Again Thanks!!!!!

I will be sending lots of pictures stay tuned!!!!!

Practice

My brother Quinn and I had a two hour practice.  The wind was about 12 to13 knots, not too many waves and no surf! We did some match racing today. We just practiced the starts. I learned how to sail perfectly up wind without slipping sideways-just keep your boat flat.

Cross Training

Yesterday our team had a 4 hour practice. Today we had a cross training day... We went surfing at a place called Sandspit in Santa Barbara! It wasn't quite this good, but worth checking out none the less. See it here.

Going to Belgium

I qualified for the US National Team at the Optimist Team Trials in Annapolis.  I also qualified to compete in the Flanders Regatta in Nieuwpoort, Belgium.  I'll be representing the United States along with 14 US teammates.   I fly into Amsterdam on June 23rd and will begin racing on June 28th.  I'll be posting about my trip on this blog.... stay tuned.