S.O.F. French Olympic Sailing Week 2012 Hyeres (FRA) 21-27.04.2012 and training camp in Weymouth (GBR) 28.04-8.05.2012
The second qualification regatta for London 2012 Olympic Games in the Finn class ended in the last weekend of April, in the French town of Hyeres. Afterwards, the Polish Finn team trained at the Olympic Games basin in the English town of Weymouth, where they prepared for Finn Gold Cup 2012 in Falmouth.
S.O.F. Voile – French Olympic sailing week 2012 in Hyeres was the second qualifying regatta for Polish Finn class sailors. The regatta was carried outin the very strong wind conditions, which turned out to be a very demanding test for all sailors and their equipment.
Four days before the regatta, due to the weakening and infection of my organism, after having consulted our team doctor, I decided to start an antibiotic treatment to increase the chances of recovery for the time of regatta. Although I was very weak, I took the challenge and started the race already in the first day, but unfortunately in the second section of downwind my rudder broke in half. This damage excluded me from taking part in all the races in that day. Next days I slowly build up my strength and health, but unfortunately my body still did not allow me to establish rivalry with the top Finn sailors.
Nevertheless, this regatta enriched me with an experience of sailing in strong winds. Eventually, I finished in the 31st position. Other Polish Finn Team athletes finished the regatta at the following positions: 12 Piotr Kula, 15Rafal Szukiel, 22 Milosz Wojewski and 30 Michal Jodlowski. In the internal national Olympic qualifications Piotr Kula has a 1-point leadover Rafal Szukiel.
Shortly after the regatta in Hyeres we drove to English town of Weymouth, where at its coast the London 2012 Olympic Games regatta will take place in August.The training session in Weymouth, under the guidance of our coach – Andrzej Piasecki, was the last stage of preparations for the third qualification regatta – World Championships 2012 – Finn Gold Cup in 2012 in the English town of Falmouth.
Despite the fickle English weather, low winds and high tides, this one week of sailing was very intense and enabled us to become acquainted with the waters, where the Olympic event would take place, as well as to introduce last improvements in the technique and trim of the equipment before the World Championships. 2012 Finn Gold Cup in Falmouth starts on coming Sunday of 13th of May and will end after six days of competition on 18th of May.
On May 19th we, the representatives of Poland – PolishFinn Team, will take part in the Olympic Torch Relay in Falmouth. This relay begins the travel of Olympic Torch around Great Britain until the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games on the 29th of July.