ABERDEEN RACING ACADEMY
March Edition: Newsletter 12 - 2018
INTRODUCTION
The 2018 sailing season is now well underway, Hong Kong Race Week was the first main event of the year for all fleets, the team produced some excellent results, which we are sure is just the start of many more to come over the year. The Academy had a record number of children out on the water for the regatta, some were completely new to racing competing in their first major event, while for the 29er fleet this was the first selection event for the 2018 Youth Worlds to be held in Texas this summer.
The Academy's newly formed 49er team made their debut in New Zealand in January competing at the Oceanbridge 49er Sailing Regatta and New Zealand 49er Nationals.
Please keep checking our facebook page for updates.
https://www.facebook.com/aberdeenracingacademy/?fref=hovercard
Oceanbridge 49er Sailing Regatta and Mackay Boats NZ 49er Nationals
Written By Russell Aylsworth
Our first day of racing was pretty rough, it was a survival day for Akira and I. The breeze was only 14-17 knots but we had huge swell that we haven't experienced before. Before starting the race we had a breakage from the top of our mast, the track on the mast had come off and we quickly had to take down our mainsail before it ripped. We got to shore hoping we could fix the track and head back out but soon after we came back to land the 49er fleet came in due to it being too challenging to sail.
Day 2 was a much flatter day of racing with a constant 12-15 knots of breeze. As a team we felt more comfortable sailing after our mini disaster the day before. We consistently got 14th in the 5 races, it was quite physically draining and as a crew by the start of the fourth race I was ready to head back. But after persevering we got the best result of the day being 12th.
The last day was lighter than the others which made it easier for us to sail since it was what we’ve been training in. We on average got 12th in the 4 races and were starting to get an understanding on how to start in the 49er.
After 3 days of on and off training and analyzing the mistakes we made during Oceanbridge Regatta, Akira and I were ready to take on The 49er Nationals. The first day was 10-12 knots and planned for 5 races, it was a long day but overall we learned so much valuable information and techniques other teams were doing. Being content for the second day, it was a cold wet day and eventually cancelled due to poor visibility and strong winds. Overall New Zealand welcoming open arms in accommodating us was great and hope to be back soon.
Hong Kong Race Week 2018
Optimist Green Fleet
Green fleet had 31 entries, their race course was set at Repulse Bay together with the main Optimist fleet. A little daunting for the young fleet with so many boats in the same water, but they all adapted extremely well with the new conditions and format. Six races were sailed in total over the course of 3 days.s
On day 1 as the breeze began to build out of the comfort limit of some of the new sailors the committee halted racing after race 2. Academy sailors however seemed undaunted by the breeze with great results from Samuel and Ethan. Sam finished 5th and Ethan was close behind finishing 7th.
The 2nd day of racing for Green fleet saw Sam finish with two 1sts and a 2nd. Well done Sam!
Racing was cancelled for all fleets on day 3 due to the light conditions, however Green fleet had a final fun race in front of the club, Sam finished 2nd. Well done to the whole team in completing their first HKRW.
Final ABC Green Fleet Results
Samuel Johnson - 2nd
Ethan Kong - 8th
Nathaniel Italia - 16th
George Kirk - 18th
Trevor Yim - 27th.
Optimist Fleet
A 79 strong fleet of Optimist sailors competed in the first HKODA ranking regatta of 2018. Six sailors from the ARA Optimist team competed. Casey Law, Juliette Clot, Cameron Law, Carter Stewart, Amaury Guillosson and Sam Badenach.
Final results for the day,
Casey Law: 5th
Juliette Clot: 9th and 1st under 12
Cameron Law: 38th
Carter Stewart: 45th 3rd under 10;
Amaury Guillosson: 52nd.
Coach Szymon's highlights
Coach Szymon's aim for the team was to sail their best and to try not to make too many mistakes. It was a big racing fleet so the younger children could learn from the best kids in Hong Kong. Szymon's aim for next year is to have the whole team in Gold Fleet.
Szymon said "Im really proud of our kids because they all did a good job"
29er Fleet
The race course was set out at Stanley with plenty of breeze at 20 knots. Once racing got underway there were big shifts in the pressure with plenty of light patches to contend with. The first race was disappointing for everyone, an incorrect course was set, leading to them all finishing with DNF's.
Getting over the first disappointment of the day, the team then completed a second race with Malo/Anatole finishing 1st.
Final Results:
Malo/Anatole 1st
Augustin/Adam 2nd
Lewis/Dylan 3rd
Karrie/Penelope 4th.
Volvo Ocean Race
UPCOMING EVENTS
HKSF Festival of Sport
STRIVE FITNESS NEWS
Do you want to get fit and healthy? You know there is a gym but just not quite sure what to do while you are in there, does the thought of 20-30 minutes on the treadmill seem tedious. Whether you're a beginner or just don't have much fitness knowledge, group classes by Strive are your solution. Joining a group class can help build a foundation and structure that you can use to fuel your personal health journey for years to come. If you are interested in having a adult training class in ABC, feel free to email us info@strivefitnesshk.com.
SPONSORSHIP
SUBSCRIPTION
Aberdeen Boat Club
Email: dinghycoach@abclubhk.com
Website: http://www.abclubhk.com
Location: Aberdeen Boat Club Ltd., 20 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong
Phone: 852 2552 8182
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aberdeenracingacademy/
Strive Fitness
Email: info@strivefitnesshk.com
Website: http://www.strivefitnesshk.com
Location: Shop 415 The Arcade Cyberport, Pokfulam Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2338 9622
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strivefitnesshk/