I made it to the Nationals Final!

[OPTIMANIA]

(corrected by Dad)



Hello Sailneters hello Max and Tim and Mark and Tom

As you know I had a big race last weekend, my club, the CNL was 3rd and 9th, in 6 regattas in two days. Best 5 results of 6 races were used.

I was 9th, which means I am now going to the Grand National Finale in September 2007.

Here is a long account of those 2 days and what we went thru, to get the job done.

We had mostly Norther winds variable from 10 to 18 knots. The races were done about 1 mile off the coast of Setubal, and the current was strong. First going in, then out. Each race the comitee changed the position of the boueys so it was harder and harder. The races were the traditional triangle/sausage, staring upwind. The seas were calm with some chop on day 2

Here are the photos taken by my Dad. My sail number is 88!

OK here we go...the day started at our Club in Lisbon, on Saturday morning, when we met and checked if all was ready to go. We then drove 65 Kilometrs to Setubal, to the Clube Naval De Setubal, host of the regatta. Here are our 6 boats in the trailer, just before we left Lisbon. All was good and tight we could go.



The one in the middle is mine..its called DIABLO (which means Devil) It has a SLAM sticker in the bow, I won from the SLAM sales person.





The next photo is our parking spot at the CNS, for our boats, here we rigged and prepared the boats for the first races of Saturday.



I rig my boat based on the winds for the day. I had to change tuning 3 times





by the way, thank you Brian!!! You know what I mean!!



Here I study the circuit with my friend Tomás..he is from my team



And this is my team...



We eat...before racing because we race all day..



And my Dad help me also




This is my coach Filipe, he is nice, I like him. He is the grown up man.



Then...off to the ramp...



A little congested as you can see, but we push and go!!



When we are waiting, we take the time to discuss team strategy with Filipe.




And my Dad teaches me a few "old man tricks"..he is using sticks as boats and boueys




Then I concentrate and play the circuit in my mind....I am calm now.



THEN...TIME TO GO!!!!





I better not capsize...this water is pretty cold...brrrrrrrrrr




Dad helps me go...


Bye now..



Still inside the marina I trim the sails 2 times....its still not good



Trim again....



and again...



and once more...



AHHHHHHH now its good, look at my sail, not one wrinkle!!



and off we go to the regatta ground, still 20 minutes away from here, we take the time to trim again..







On the way to the ground, we do friendly races with each other...



We practice the start...










then I chose where I want to start...bad choice, my first start was very bad






This is the upwind leg, can you see me?



but now we are going we even have spray in the bow...



Day one was over, general position was 9th.

Then day two arrived, 3 more races to do...as usual Dad helped me.





and even Luis said good bye to me...I like Luis



This day was very funny, I put the boat in the water, then I realised I had forgotten to bring my rudder and center board..I had to run to the van to get them...everyone laughed...



Filipe says I don't lose my head because its attached to my neck!!



Then Dad pushed me again...







Then...the race starts...this day was much windier and choppy seas...





One one race I was first on the boueys...its nice to see no one in front..



Downwind leg..





then I was 4th....but I was almost catching them...





The end of race 5...




Here we round the bouey...





and the last lap...



We made the traditional Pizza party....everyone is very happy...



the results were not the best, but we did good!!



The return of the fleet after the very last race......we had a wonderfull time and experience...I love sailing...








Tired but happy, returning home to the marina...



The Clube Naval de Setubal made a party with lots off food and we party a lot.





Ahhh I forgot...I finished 4th Grade, received my Diploma and will be in 5th grade in September!!! good weekend for me...bye













(This post was written and prepared by Fred with Dad's help. Its really late, but I promosed him I would post it for him, he smiles while he sleeps now!)

[werebeagle]

Congrats Fred. Well Done.

[sailortjk1]

WOW Fred, That is great news.
See what happens when you prctice hard and listen to your coach.
You should be very proud of yourself.
I am very proud of you!

[Yugi]

Nice job Fred. I wish my son loved sailing as much as you did. I'm giving him lessons with the Y this summer. 1 week, thats all. I sail with him on his sisters Dyer Dhow Midget 7' 11" He hates it but he can steer ok. Doesnt like to hold the sheet. What can I do or not do to incurage him?

[T34C]

CONGRATULATIONS Fred!!!!!!
That's Excellent!!! I am very proud of your accomplishment. Thank you for staying up late to post your great news. Well Done!

Great photo's G- Thanks.

[sailaway21]

Very good Fred. I am glad you had a good time. Did your Dad get really excited? I think he gets really excited about anything sailing. Especially racing sailing. I think right now, he is very proud of you. And I am also.

ps,
I think your boat needs a sharks mouth painted on the bow. Like on Giulietta's keel bulb! Then we could call you, "Ferocious Fred, the Opti-Pirate" What do you think?

[Valiente]

Poço feito, Fred. Logo você dirigirá o barco do seu pai mais melhor do que seu pai!

(Você é sempre bem-vindo dirigir meu barco. Está como um optimist grande, mas no aço. Fácil!)

[byrondv]

Congratulations Fred!!! Once again you show us just how good a sailor you are. I would challenge you to a race but I don’t think there is a boat out there that would be fast enough for me to beat you

Thanks for the update – and make sure you make your dad take a bunch of pictures for us at nationals as well!

[camaraderie]

Hey Fred...
Big Congratulations on doing so well and making it to the NATIONALS at your age...WOW!!
I really enjoyed the pictures...but you have to get rid of that "Burn the KEEPER " shirt if we are going to remain friends!!

[sailingdog]

Congrats Fred...