EUROSKIFF TRAINING
WEEK IN LA ROCHELLE
Report
by Richard Lowndes & Photos by Tainia Samus http://www.photoblink.com/sailing/larochelle
Eleven Musto Skiffs and three 29ers
turned up at the Societe des Regates Rochelaises in
La Rochelle for Euroskiff this year. Sailors had come
from Spain, France, Belgium, England and as far afield
as Scotland, but the lengthy journey was well worth
the effort for the hot sunny weather and excellent wind
conditions we were treated to. As most of us were inland
sailors, the Atlantic waves offered plenty of excitment,
though on some days the sea was flat as a pancake. There
really was something for everyone.
Our coach,
Yan, set some excellent courses, both long and short,
so that we could all practice our starts, boat speed,
upwind and downwind legs, mark roundings, and of course,
our pitchpoling and capsizing . At the same time, the
courses led us to some interesting places, and we were
able to watch the start of the singlehanded Figaro race,
both the 'Round the Cans' stage, and also the start
of the first leg to Spain. We also sailed to Ile de
Rai on the Thursday (an island just off La Rochelle).
The sail over there was gentle, and we laid all the
boats down on the sandy beach which surprised the sunbathers.
As we picnicked the wind picked up and boats started
flipping over! We had to pile pebbles on the mast tips
to stop the boats getting too excited. By the time we
had finished lunch the wind was blowing 7 'Stens' (1
Sten = 3 knots!) and the downwind sail back was suberb
(for some) and terrifying (for others).
Evenings in
La Rochelle were great fun. The old part of the town
is beautiful and bustling. The food was good, and there
were delicacies such as pig's entrail sausages and slabs
of raw beef in olive oil. We all discovered a wonderful
ice cream shop which seemed to have hundreds of flavours.
We watched street performers climb up and over ladders
that weren't leaning on anything, and fire jugglers
surfing on wobby planks. All in all, the town has a
laid back atmosphere and was a lovely setting for the
week.
Friday was
the only miserable day, and it drizzled and prepared
us for home. More importantly, there was absolutely
no wind, so rather than sailing, we were given a detailed
demonstration of how to set up Musto and 29er sails
for different wind conditions (by Richard and Kit) and
a fascinating description of sail design and mechanics
of fluids by Peter Heffel (Musto Skiff FRA 360), a sail
designer for America's Cup boats. We then packed up
the boats in the rain, putting the lighting boards on
just as the rain stopped, before having a French-style
BBQ at the club to finish off the week.
We must say thanks to Andre, a french catamaran and
former RS700 sailor who randomly offered six of us his
house to stay in when we arrived at the club asking
where the nearest campsite was. Thanks to Tania for
braving the scorching sun and choppy seas to get some
some stunning photos, and to the SRR for hosting the
event. Also thanks must go to Yan, our coach, who is
a windsurfing instructor and cat sailor but who had
never sailed a skiff before. He quickly learned how
our boats behaved, and set appropriate courses which
met our needs. He also had a go in Sten's Skiff, which
didn't go so well until Richard leapt in and did some
boat balancing. I think Yan enjoyed it after that! All
in all it was a brilliant week and we would all recommend
the event for next year.
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