CULTURE SHOCK
Life at Jinha Beach is pretty much the same as at any other competition. My routine doesn’t really change much when I am at events. The Korean organisation is one of the best on tour, so you know things will run smoothly. The local people from Jinha look a bit mystified at what we are up to. Most Koreans you encounter while buying stuff from the supermarket or coffee shop don’t speak a word of English but are generally very polite. Korean food is not usually the food of choice for us Westerners, and I stay clear of any of the local restaurants that have the meals ‘still alive’ and on display in tanks by the side of the streets.
TENT WARS
The organisers provide the competitors with beach tents to place and leave our equipment in during the event. There is always a battle for a tent in the best position with the least amount of distance to carry the bags from where the truck dumps all the gear, the nearest tent being the most favourable. I tend not to get involved in this and instead just walk till I find an available space. The French stick to themselves, same with the Asian sailors and the ladies. Then the rest of us trade around, usually sticking to the guys who we have been sailing with in the run up to the event. I was pretty much left alone and ended up sharing with my Latvian formula sailing pal Janis Presis, (also a rider for Gaastra and Tabou). I don’t have a problem sharing with anyone, as I am happy doing my own thing most of the time.
