Season update from Georgia

Coming to the end of 2011 the first half of the season has ended. And I have had an awesome time, done very well and picked up some major achievements on the way. Like the states, my first ever win and some tiring training in the Heron.

To start we had our State Titles at Belmont Yacht Club. I picked up an awesome 1st Junior and 1st Lady Trophy as well as picking up 11th of 23 which is an outstanding result. Which I was then overall only 2 point ahead of the closest junior behind me, Matt Doyle coming in 12th place. This regatta fun (even with the torrential rain), exciting (especially being 5th overall after the first race day) and a great way to prepare for the upcoming nationals, as it will be on the same body of water and launched from the same club.

Then the first time I was back in my boat for normal club racing I finally got my first ever win against strong adult competitors. And this win wasn’t easy, it was really close. With my normal crew gone and our normal race winner not sailing as well, it was my turn for a win. I was sitting just behind the leader (Ian Milton) for most of the race and it was the last work and I knew at that point that there just wasn’t enough time to get round him (I proved myself wrong there). I kind of just decided to tack and it was the perfect spot to do so, then it was all steam ahead for the finish line and I got him... I had gotten my win and it was right after the fantastic results at the states.

Next in major event was the Heron Training day with Rob Brewer. This gave me and all others who went along to learn more and just practice. Like others I used this day to progress for the nationals. This opportunity was great as this was held at Georges River Sailing Club and as it was windy this gave some the opportunity to practise in heavy and wavy conditions as they normally can’t. At the end of the day every sailor was tired but got some great tips and everyone learnt a lot.

Next we had the first race of our Interclub Series, this was held at Concord Ryde Sailing Club. Some of the juniors went down early for the clubs’ junior racing. For practise and to show them how it’s done, the junior race started off with me and some others not knowing where the start was as there were 3 marks around, we found it after the gun... At the middle of the fleet around the top mark and around the third in first, easily catching everyone in front I crossed the line just under a leg ahead. And I had no idea on where I was going the whole time. Don’t you love it when you visit a club and show them how it is done?? I do.... The afternoon race we had an average fleet of 15. I Had an average start and had a gap between the front group and the second group, me being front of 2nd. Most of the race I was match race between certain boats at the time. But the main was Jerome Watts, one of three junior competitors. I was also sitting in 5th-7th most of the race but by the end I got a close 5th beating last couple on the finish line and getting the closest Junior. We will have to see what happens next interclub race...

We also had our marathon race at Narrabeen (home club). Kate Fitzgerald and I shared a Laser and took out the title doing 6 laps. This race was windy and was a lot of fun plaining everywhere.

Now Eleanor (my crew) and I are preparing for the nationals... This regatta will be challenging and all emotions possible at a regatta. I have been preparing by sailing other boats (eg. a Laser) for boat handling practice and building those strong muscles of ours up. So we will be unbeatable!! The Junior and Lady trophy is ours!!! Cheer us on!

Thanks, Dad (Rhys Llewellyn) for absolutely everything... eg. Transport, boat repairs & support. Thanks, Eleanor MacGregor, for being my fabulous outstanding, unbreakable crew. Thanks, All who stepped in for Eleanor when she couldn’t make it... Thanks the crew at DeckHardware, for sponsoring me and giving me the opportunity, for the support, equipment & a home for my boat.

To think 5 years ago I did a report in yr 4 and did 2 main articles on the Olympic competitors (Nathan W, Malcom P, Elise R, Tessa P and Tom S) and now I have the opportunity of knowing members of the Australian Sailing Team. And in just a year I have come so far and met so many people. And that is mostly the encouragement from DeckHardware.

Will have to wait and see what next year brings, hopefully moving into a more known and faster class, will make me a better sailor. Watch out world here I come!!!

Let’s see what the next half of the season brings...

Georgia Llewellyn

The Force 9972

Heron Nationals Website

Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club