Regatta Report - 2024 European Masters

Peter Heywood Reports from Villamoura, Portugal

The regatta

This is a favourite location for the ILCA European championships with 200-300 Euro sailors competing. Vilamoura is a seaside location on the Atlantic with usually sunny weather. We had a nice apartment at the marina with a short walk to the sailing club.

The well-organised regatta was 7 days (5 days sailing) with at least 10 races about 2-3 miles offshore in the Atlantic. Courses were trapezoid with windward return to accommodate the multiple fleets common in today’s apparent wind downwind sailing.

Social events were often with after sailing drinks and nibbles. Local restaurants were taken over to feed us with local food. It was great to meet old combatants to laugh and make new friends to discuss all things sailing.

There were 330 master sailors from all over the world in five age groups from 30 years to over 75. 330 boats at the start on two racecourses (i.e. busy).

Sailing

Day 1 - one race in 0-5kts and many calm spots then wind died. The fleet was tight with the best sailors from around the world not giving an inch. I sailed in 2nd place and was rolled for 3rd and finished 5 m behind the American who won.

Day 2 - one race 5kts then the wind died. Started on the pin bias and tacked to cross the fleet - at the same time as a 30% right shift clocked in pushing me back to last! Finally got a bit back but a big number. Race committee did not restart I guess because they knew the wind was dying.

Day 3 - no sailing - storms or no wind.

Day 4 - no sailing – storms or no wind.

Day 5 - no wind. On the water at 9am then paddled ashore. Left the ramp again at 4pm for 2 short races in 0-5 kts. In both races I was in the front bunch on the 1st / 2nd mark, but the top European and US sailors just were faster in 0-5 kts.

Overall

1st regatta - prep for worlds.

So, I finished 5th in my races. Just not fast enough in very light, bumpy water. We expected 10 races but achieved only 4 short races in 5 days, but still a good indicator for me that I’m fast enough in wind but need to do work on light weather and race plan (anticipate shifts).

The organisers were disappointed with no wind. Lots of bad weather in Europe this season. The English couldn’t sail their nationals some days at Hayling Island with strong/poor weather. So, you get poor regattas and get poor performance - just have to deal with it!

Organised training has improved amongst the top Euro and US Master sailors with sailing training nonstop during the season. US sailors go regularly to ISA in Mexico or ILCA Cabarete for training with top coaches - it is cheap for them to go to these locations. UK ILCA provides training throughout the season.

After the regatta my wife and I took a ferry trip to see Norway from the Artic Circle down the Norwegian coast and experienced gale force winds – plenty of wind up there!

Next Steps

• Get faster. Get more master coaching.

• More competition - NSW States, Sail Sydney, Nationals at RQYS, Oceania Masters in VIC, then worlds at Forma in Italy.

Peter Heywood, Legend (i.e. +75) sailor