SPEED UPDATE

We were expecting 28mph wind speed for this Sunday up to two days ago now it is forecasting 14mph. No chance of cracking out some GPS speeds this week. The long range forecasts do look like the high pressures that are constantly hanging over us are going and we will get some low pressures tracking through.

I have been checking out another potential speed spot at Perelle Bay in Guernsey. At mid to low tide it will work from SSW to NW wind direction.

When I was last competitively into speed sailing most of my windsurfing training in Guernsey was wave sailing now that I'm back I am totally focused on speed, I don't even have any wave sails.

Driving around the coast I always looking out for new speed spots for different wind directions.

I just ordered a new set of fins from C3 in New Zealand. Their Venom G10 speed fins, 5 fins from 24cm to 32 cm. These fins are widely used in speed circles and have had some great times recorded.

I made a lot of mistakes the first time around with speed fins and don't want to make them again. I figure start with the best and move on from there with design input.

My entry for the speed contest in Port St Louis France went off today. It runs from the 25th March - 29th March. I have sailed at St Marie de la Mer just down the road but I haven't sailed at Port St Louis yet.

I hope to have better news with the wind situation over here soon and post some speeds.

Regards

Martyn

SPEED SESSION 10/02/2009

The wind was blowing force 8 - 9 all night. I was set up at 10 am on the North shore of Guernsey at a new spot that looks great at low tide for speed, approx 700m run, on shore winds but sheltered by reefs at low tide. I took a 6 and 6.6 and my Starboard 49, rigged the 6.6. The wind was slowly dying and the session never really got going. I should have taken my Starboard isonic 94 which would have got me out to the speed strip quicker. The wind was blowing NW force 6 maybe 7 by the time I got in. To get out to the speed spot was a beat straight out from the beach. On a speed board and 6.6 in a small bay it wasn't happening, by the time you bore off to get on the plane and tried to get up wind you were at the other end of the bay. It was productive however, the boards straps are difficult to get big enough to use with boots (did I mention it was 7 degrees air temp, water 6 degrees). I will change the straps tonight. Pierre Bisson took some snaps although the sails aren't labeled up yet. The session was not what I had been thinking about all night but the site has potential and NW is the right direction. I shall definitely sail it again.

WINTER BLUES

Am I a windsurfer who runs or a runner who windsurfs?

The weather in Guernsey is horrendous. We have just had 3 days of the worst snow in twenty years, we only get snow once every 6 or 7 years. Now we are experiencing torrential rain!!

Checking out the blogs from Maui don't help.

Look on the bright side.

I have been flat out in the gym for 5 weeks now and am really feeling the benifits. My Sartboards have arrived and look great. My new Hotsails GPS's are in Guernsey ( held by customs! )but I should have them soon and the forcast can't get any worse.

25 miles on the tread mill this week and wound like a curled spring ready to go.

Watch Out!!

Talk soon

Martyn