I have not been able to come to the club often this winter as on one hand I have been travelling (nothing new) but on the other hand, preparing the journey to the Qingdao International Optimist Regatta 2017.  I was asked to coach the team representing Australia - 7 sailors (6 from Victoria and 1 from NSW) selected to enter the competition in China.  Selected sailors are not the state's top sailors but sailors identified as upcoming sailors.  Victorian sailors include Hugo Vandame (WYC) and Daniel Laverty (often training at WYC).

We will be leaving Melbourne on the 8 of August (all day travel) and the schedule is as follows:

• Aug. 9th Registration
• Aug. 10th Equipment distribution and Measurement, training on water
• Aug. 11th Practice Races , City Tour, opening ceremony
• Aug. 12th Cruising, Celebrity interview
• Aug. 13th to 16th Races (11 in total)
• Aug. 16th Prize Giving & Closing Ceremony - each team needs to perform a show and it is live on TV!
• Aug. 17th Departure

According to Jenny Lidget (Olympic sailor in 470 and last year's coach), the conditions will be very light and hot.  Hence, the team has been training (with many other Victorian Optimist sailors) on Albert Park.  Last Sunday's conditions were amazing: sunny, warm and variable wind (directions and speed) - perfect to learn to constantly look out outside the boat.  I will be sending some updates from China.