Team Jolly in action at the 470 Nationals. Image copyright Christine Hansen.
by Jo Aleh & Polly Powrie
We started the year off with the third annual NZ 470 Summer Camp down at Rotoiti (including multiple fitness sessions, some sailing, some wakeboarding and an exploratory run/walk around Okere falls). It was a great way to get back into action, and thanks to Nathan (super-coach) we woke up early and had some great morning fitness sessions (with waffles post exercise), and actually got out on the water to do some training.
After being inspired by all the cross training at Rotoiti, Jo used the same excuse and competed in the 2011 Laser Radial Nationals sailed at Torbay, where she had a rather good event, and ended up winning overall, strangely enough this was actually the first time she has managed to win the event, as when she sailed the Radial she only ever managed 2nd! (Four years in a row...).
We then got back in the 470 and showed some rust at the NZ 470 Nationals, held at Takapuna – in the middle of one of the recent cyclones to hit NZ. So our three-day regatta was reduced to two days, but still nine races, so they were long and windy days on the water! We found some early form, but struggled in the breeze on the second day, with one very silly capsize which led to us having to pull out of the race as Jo swam away to save the spinnaker pole (they sink), and couldn’t get back to the boat... Still worth saving the pole as it was our favourite blue one!
So we ended the Nationals in 4th overall, top women’s crew, 3rd kiwi, and a bit disappointed… But looking forward to pay back at Sail Auckland.
NZL Team 470 Camp on the lake.. good times! Supplied image.
After two days off, we were straight into Sail Auckland, held at Takapuna for the first time this year, where we had a much better event. After a slow start, we improved daily, to finish the regatta in 2nd place overall, ahead of all the kiwi guys, but not at all close enough to Nick Rogers and Chris Grube who were here are all the way from the UK, and were clear ahead for most of the event. But we had some good tussles with them, and having them here in NZ for the rest of this month will be a great training opportunity!
So now we are into train hard mode, with a month and a half until we take off to Spain to compete in our first World Cup event of the year in Palma.
Thanx for all the support!!
Jo & Polly
Special thanks to our supporters and suppliers:
SPARC and the New Zealand Academy of Sport, Yachting New Zealand, Donaghys, Kaenon Sunglasses, Harken, Mackay Boats and Quantum Sails.
www.teamjollyracing.com
