OVERTAKING
When it comes to overtaking it definitely helps to know your opponents and their strong points. It took me years to realise that in light to moderate winds it is a low success strategy trying to overtake Kev Greenslade on the inside at a gybe mark because he almost always manages to exit very tight to the buoy. However, when people come out tight to the mark they often sacrifice speed doing so and so aiming to overtake the long way round the outside with speed can be more successful.
COMPETITION
Throughout my life I have enjoyed competition, be it in rugby, football or windsurfing. I actually started racing comparatively late in life and on the wrong side of thirty. Competing gives me something to work for and it is what motivates me to do an exercise session in my front room at 10pm in the middle of winter after working all day. Being competitive, it is important to me to feel like I am still making progress with my racing. That is still the case although I admit that at times when work and family life is busy I ask myself why I bother turning up at international events when I am spending comparatively so little time on the water compared to most of the fleet. The people I race with also have a great deal to do with me coming back for more. I headed down to Weymouth yesterday (for a NWF/OTC training camp) and caught up with the BSA crew for the first time since last season ended. They are a fantastic bunch of guys and girls from all walks of life. Their great company and friendship off the water and sportsmanship on the water has a big part to play in making me want to keep racing year after year.