George Smith - Sailor

My name's George Smith, I'm 18 and I have been sailing competetively since 2005.

I currently sail and race at Bough Beech Sailing Club in my 3rd RS 600 and also sail an International 14.

I have competed in National and European championships in various boats including; RS 400, RS 600 and B14's.

This season I plan on competing in as many events in the 600 as possible and will post results as they come.

Thanks for reading and watch this space for race and boat updates!

Currently the boat is undergoing some slight repairs, essentially the rudder stock gudgons are loose and need re-riveting (luckily AGF has what I need) and the retaining clip needs to be moved so It stops the rudder falling off as it did last Sunday!

Sunday 23rd of January:

Another windy Sunday at Bough Beech in the RS 600. Had a fairly shocking first race in the morning, despite a good start and leading round the windward mark, a capsize on a gybe left me cold and fighting to get back to the front. Eventually made it back up to the front but not far enough, finishing 10th on handicap.

After a heavy lunch, the wind seemed steadier for the afternoon race but still a steady force 3 with gusts much more than that. This time my start wasn't so good. A header on the startline meant I had to go round the ends and sail off on port up the unfavourable right side of the beat. Even still I managed to sail a quick first beat making it to the windward mark in first and staying there for the rest of the race. The course was an unusual sideways M shape, which meant lots of gybing practice. Luckily the mornings swim had provoked me to concerntrate more on the gybes and all were succesful! I finished 2nd on handicap, despite being 11 minutes in front of a very well sailed Wafarer.

Sunday 30th January: Had another cracking Sunday's racing today.

Force 3 but very shifty, with sunshine and good racing.

Managed a hard fought 3rd place this morning just behind the Scorpian and Wayfarer combo on a long square course.

The afternoon was much lighter, result tba as I had to go to the pub!

Spring is here! I finished the winter series in 7th after a dissapointing final weekend of very little wind but with some good results through the series!

My first open of this year is coming up in the 600 at Oxford so the focus is getting everything slick and ready before then.

The 14 is in the shed undergoing so repairs, mostly minor, ready to get out there and sailing for easter.

The new all good fun rashvest are in and look great so will get a photo of those up asap.

2/3 of April.

Had a great weekend at oxford. Really solid breeze on Saturday but kicker problems meant I only got one decent result (3rd).

Sunday started off by looking like it was going to be a drifter and the first race was! but the wind filled in eventually and got a good days racing in.

Finished 7th overall but got a 3rd and 4th in there so pretty happy with the result. Pictures to follow.