Bronze it is..10/5/2024 This year's Youth Sailing Champions League final took place in Vilamoura, Portugal, renowned for its big waves, strong winds, and sunny weather—a true sailing paradise. We had fond memories from the 2022 qualifier, where we dominated in the strong winds, and we were eager to build on that success. On the first day, we sailed cautiously in the expected strong winds and waves, ending the day in 6th place. It wasn't ideal, but the points were close, so we remained optimistic. Day two saw us adopting a more aggressive approach, but we struggled with upwind speed as one of the lightest crews. Frustration peaked with a fifth-place finish in the last race, reallz affecting our morale. To reset, we jumped into the cold sea, washing away the day's disappointments and preparing for the final day. With the goal of reaching the final four, we knew every position mattered. We scored 2, 2, and 1 in the final races, climbing to 2nd place. Our confidence grew as we found our rhythm, with excellent speed and smooth maneuvers. Morale was high, and we were in top form. Qualifying for the final in 2nd place, we felt ready for anything in the decisive races. The final four was so intense that the details blur in my memory. I've never competed so closely against other sailors before. One moment we were leading, and the next we were in last place. At each mark, all teams were neck and neck. In the end, it felt like we just missed a little extra speed and needed slightly smoother manoeuvres. We finished in 3rd place, with the same points as the second-place team. Not gold, but bronze again. Considering our poor start to the regatta, it was a pretty good result; considering our expectations, it felt pretty bad. As we crossed the finish line, it felt more bad than good. Now back home, I realize that despite the ups and downs, we can be incredibly proud of what we have achieved. Sailing against the best youth clubs in the world, we managed to secure a bronze medal. Our journey has been filled with valuable lessons and unforgettable moments, and we are grateful to have represented our hometown club. I'd like to thank all our supporters for contributing to our crowdfunding campaign, making it possible for us to win a medal for our beloved club and create unforgettable memories. And of course, thank my amazing team: Robert, aka Mr. Gennaker Drop, the fastest gennaker setter in the wild west; Carlos, aka Mr. Hardest Oakleys, the best jib trimmer in the wild west; and Niklas, aka Mr. Kaiser 1., the best trimmer and brother in the wild west.
P.S. A recap video is in the works right now. So stay tuned!
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Leave a Reply.AuthorMy name is Simon Kaiser and I simply love sailing. |