Ok, I admit it. I’m going to the worlds, and I’ve been training hard. In fact, I’ve never been more serious with any other event. Not that I’ll win it, or even be in the top half of the fleet. But it will be a challenge, and I’ve got the fitness and means to do it. So let’s go.
Preparations started last december. I decided to focus on my body, not on the getting the latest boat, better sails or other toys. So, I joined a running group to get fitness up, then dealt with a knee problem that had been around for the last 4 years. Had a little knee pain almost continuously, but a visit to a sports doctor, a fysio got it got almost sorted. Jay!
A little item that should be on the list was the adjustable wand. Planning and construction started februari. After the running group I’ve been exercising from home, and we made an early start with sailing in the Netherlands, first tune up was 31 march, 1 april. Finding out my boat wasn’t sorted, but that was the point of the regatta, to tune up.
Meanwhile a new boxing course started at my university. I’ve now been doing an introductory course there for the third time. As usual everybody dropping out by the 5th lesson. This resulted in some great trainings with only the boxing coach and me [grin] Good fun.
The Lauwersmeer regatta was good too. Ever since me sailing as the only Dutch guy with the german fleet I’d wanted to organise a regatta myself. With 7 boats on the lake it was a good event. With help from Burkhard I´d even got my upwind problem sorted (mainsheet was set up wrong).
Bad point was catching a summer flu, leaving me without training for 5 weeks. It gave me time to build a hiking bench though, and check photos to see how far the top guys are hiking out!
The boat seems sorted. My body is good. So, what’s the goals?
Main thing is having fun. After the Euros in Switserland I learnt that event had just been too rough for me. The only way to enjoy is to be ready physically. I hope I’m there. Then there’s a few guys that I’m usually behind. Would be nice to catch some of them. Then it’d be nice to finish all races, and not have any breakages, the old Prowler should do well there. The ranks really isn’t too important for me, as long as I’ll sail to my abilities (and not be with the last 10%!).
Bring it on!
Go for it Koos! Good luck :0!!
You go Koos!!!! Stoer van je, ik duim! x, Margot