Two weekends ago the South West Shingles YC, a select invitation-only group of esteemed yachtsmen and seafarers who have all experienced notable calamities afloat, kindly organised their annual regatta and end of season dinner in the form of a fund-raising event to support our Olympic Campaign. After a busy afternoon of seven short sharp races in a fleet of J24s from Parkstone YC the members and their guests enjoyed an entertaining dinner at the Royal Motor YC during which a raffle and auction was held. We’re hugely grateful to SWSYC Commodore David Latchford for not only organising the event, but encouraging so many local businesses, individuals and organisations to so generously donate a wide variety of items for the raffle and auction, ranging from fine wines and restaurant vouchers to sailing, rugby, flying and shooting days, and a number of artistic works including the star lot an original oil painting by Duncan Macgregor (no relation!). Much fun was had by all, and the level of support was really quite overwhelming. Many many thanks to all who came and contributed to raising a significant sum, which will go a long way to help cover some of our costs in the run up to the Games.

Last week we were in France at a grade 1 event in Saint Quay Portrieux, on the North Brittany coast. Fourteen top women’s teams took part in a pretty packed schedule, starting with a single full round robin over the first three days. Conditions were fairly light, and we put in some pretty long days on the water, however our efforts were rewarded by finishing second in the round robin on 9 wins and 4 losses. Proceeding directly to the quarter finals, we dispatched Rita Gonçalves (POR) 3–0, before facing Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA) in the semi-finals which we again convincingly won 3–0. In the finals we were up against our long-term rivals, the French team of Claire Leroy who have been one of the most dominant competitors over the years. Racing was nip and tuck throughout, we had a strong start going 2–0 up, before they clawed it back to 2–2. In the deciding final match we came away with the all important win to take the overall title :)

This week we’ve not been on the water, but catching up with the never-ending admin and gym work. On Tuesday Lucy and Kate joined fellow Team Volvo for Life sailors Ben Ainslie, Paul Goodison and Nick Dempsey at Apple’s London store on Regent Street for the launch of the new Volvo Sailing App. Available on iTunes for the iPhone and iPad, the new app combines the latest news and events, a basic guide to Olympic Sailing for non-sailors, and top tips from the experts for those looking to improve their sailing techniques.

Meanwhile Annie has been putting our brand new V70 to good use, towing a RIB down to Barcelona where we’ll be training against the Russian team for ten days. Check out our facebook page for photos of Annie’s trip including crossing the Millau Viaduct. Many thanks to Volvo Cars UK for their continued support, they’ve also just re-launched the VolvoCarsSailing.co.uk website which is well worth a visit.

Next week we’ll all be in Weymouth again, for a detailed review of our performance in the last quarter with all the coaching, technical and support staff. Fitness tests here we come! Then off to catch some sun in Barcelona… :)

We’ll leave you with this little promo tape of the TVfL sailors selected for the 2012 Games.

Cheers,

Lucy, Annie and Kate x

Click on the video below to see us in action!

Sport Nautique St Quay Portrieux ran a superb event. They provided 10 first class 8 boats and spares so that all the teams could sail all the time. Racing was held near to the shore to give the spectators a grand stand view and weather was generally warm and sunny with breezes between 5 and 15 knots.

For two days the teams sailed a double round robin giving plenty of time to get used to the boats. Racing was very tight with only the team of Anne-Claire Le Berre getting substantially away from the rest. Two teams were eliminated from the draw for the quarter finals and, of course, all the others teams were back on level terms again.

At this stage Macgregor and team started to excel. Two 3–0 wins against Christelle Phillipe of France and current world ranked number 2 Lotte Meldgarde Pedersen of Denmark gave them some resting time. Gurioli had longer and more tense matches against Silke Hahlbrock, world ranked 3, and then Le Berre.

The final was sailed in 12–15 knots of breeze. Racing was extremely tight with boat handling at a premium. But in the end a good spinnaker hoist at the final windward mark gave Macgregor’s team just enough space to take the final race and the championship.

Overall Results:

1. Lucy Macgregor (GBR)
2. Sabrini Gurioli (ITA)
3. Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA)
4. Lotte Meldgaard Petersen (DEN)
5. Julie Bossard (FRA)
6. Silke Hahlbrok (GER)
7. Christelle Phillipe (FRA)
8. Rita Goncalves (POR)
9. Sandra Azon (ESP)
10. Maija Saijonmaa (FIN)

Thursday saw us begin to excel in lighter breeze of only 5knots. The draw put us against Christelle Philippe in the best of 5 quarter-final. After winning the first start we cruised through our races winning 3–0 and progressing us through to the semi-finals against Lotte Meldgard Pedersen. The semis saw another strong performance by our team, again winning 3–0 from the best of 5 series.

It was a brilliant feeling knowing we were through to the finals specially having worked so hard and having come so far as a team to get there. We also knew that the journey was far from over and we’d be disappointed if we just came away with second. Sure enough the journey was far from over and we were in for a thrilling five race final against the Italian team skippered by Sabrina Gurioli.

During the first race it remained light winds and after an equal start we held slightly more speed to gain the lead and extend throughout the race to win. 1–0 Macgregor. Sabrina pulled back however in the 2^nd and 3^rd races after poor starts by me. 1–2 Gurioli. The pressure was now mounting, knowing that one slip up could give Sabrina the race win and overall title in a building sea breeze. After another equal start in the 4^th race and what seemed like a never ending tacking duel where Imogen, Ally and Holly put in a simply brilliant effort, we managed to give Sabrina a penalty at the final windward mark giving us a slight advantage. A better hoist from Sabrina put us equal going down the final run and all our focus was on not getting ‘hooked’ and getting a penalty ourselves. After a couple of huge swerves and near misses we were able to regain control and surf to the finish to put the scores equal and everything depending on the final race. 2–2 back to square one. The decider race and the breeze had now built to 15knots with chop and certainly, tensions were high! During the pre-start we got into circles with Sabrina and with 2knots of tide running through the course the big decision was when to break out of the circles and head for the start line. After a great call from Ally we broke first and had a great start with a solid cover on Sabrina. Although the Italians kept the pressure on we were able to keep cover, stick to basics and stay between the opposition and the finish line to cross the line first and as 2008 European Champions!