Take a deep breath, close my eyes and picture my perfect run:
Dropping the kite low into the power window. The immediate jolt of forward motion, leaning back into it I edge higher and closer to the shoreline. I feel the water texture go smooth and my acceleration building I am propelled towards the start line. As my speeds increase the energy being transferred from the kite through my body to the tail of the board increases. I store this energy, building it up for as long as my muscles can handle it. BANG! I cross the starting line, my board is pointed down the course I release all of this energy in a surge of forward motion. I spot the next puff in front of me and quickly over take it, leaning back as I feel it's effects take my kite and try to throw me over the board but I am already leaning back and I feel the board further accelerate. My muscles are tensed back leg trying desperately to hold the tail in perfect position as I execute the perfect line down the course. Nearing the bottom I see the corduroy chop looming but I have my line in site and use every ounce of energy to push the board faster through the chop and with a last effort pump the kite hard before crossing the line.
DAMN! Makes me excited just thinking about it. As you can see by the forecast below we have no wind scheduled until Saturday but most likely no racing until Sunday. For me this is the perfect opportunity to rest my body, visualize my runs and prep myself for what should be a very exciting finish to the 2012 North American Speed Sailing Championships.
I have made a few subtle alterations to my boards, thinning the tails and adding weight under the footpads, trying to maximize the boards' abilities in the expected heavy winds. The Race Committee is currently reviewing safety protocols and we are scheduled to have a safety meeting on Saturday morning. Everyone is just trying to get ready. I have often said that when the Storm Warnings light up this is when I get excited and this time it is no different.
So for now it is time to try and relax, stay focused and visualize my perfect run.
Dropping the kite low into the power window. The immediate jolt of forward motion, leaning back into it I edge higher and closer to the shoreline. I feel the water texture go smooth and my acceleration building I am propelled towards the start line. As my speeds increase the energy being transferred from the kite through my body to the tail of the board increases. I store this energy, building it up for as long as my muscles can handle it. BANG! I cross the starting line, my board is pointed down the course I release all of this energy in a surge of forward motion. I spot the next puff in front of me and quickly over take it, leaning back as I feel it's effects take my kite and try to throw me over the board but I am already leaning back and I feel the board further accelerate. My muscles are tensed back leg trying desperately to hold the tail in perfect position as I execute the perfect line down the course. Nearing the bottom I see the corduroy chop looming but I have my line in site and use every ounce of energy to push the board faster through the chop and with a last effort pump the kite hard before crossing the line.
DAMN! Makes me excited just thinking about it. As you can see by the forecast below we have no wind scheduled until Saturday but most likely no racing until Sunday. For me this is the perfect opportunity to rest my body, visualize my runs and prep myself for what should be a very exciting finish to the 2012 North American Speed Sailing Championships.
I have made a few subtle alterations to my boards, thinning the tails and adding weight under the footpads, trying to maximize the boards' abilities in the expected heavy winds. The Race Committee is currently reviewing safety protocols and we are scheduled to have a safety meeting on Saturday morning. Everyone is just trying to get ready. I have often said that when the Storm Warnings light up this is when I get excited and this time it is no different.
So for now it is time to try and relax, stay focused and visualize my perfect run.
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