skandia:star

Hi Everyone

We have just finished our final training session for the year in Valencia. The weather was again absolutely perfect for simulating weather conditions expected in China next year. Once more we trained with the Swedish teams and the Irish young guns.

The training session had Nick Harrison coaching us, giving up his time once again to come and help us after our main coach David Howlett (Sid) went off to Australia to help Ben Ainslie qualify for the Olympics in the Finn. Nick came with his wife Anne and they celebrated their Wedding Anniversary out in Valencia.

The Highlight of the trip was the dinner that we had with all the sailors and coaches and Anne in a fantastic restaurant in the heart of Valencia. We were even more fortunate that Tom Lofstedt paid for the evening!

The training ended on Saturday after 12 straight days of training with Iain leaving for the ‘British Sports Personality of the Year Awards’ on Sunday, (sadly he did not win, maybe next year!)

So after our first year sailing together we are moving forward. Bart had never sailed the Star before January and was falling out the boat in the Holland Regatta as prior commitments to the Americas Cup stopped the boys training before May 10th. A Bronze medal at the Worlds was followed up with a disappointing Bronze at the Europeans. So for next year we have one real goal, TO WIN GOLD IN CHINA.

We are wishing you all a Very Happy Christmas and Thank You for all your Support this year.

Iain and Andrew