Training in Miami - Oct 19 - Nov. 3

So originally we were suppose to have a training camp in Punta Gorda Florida. This is the 2012 Worlds location. As well it is many country's, including the Canadian's, Trials for team selection. Ken & I figured since we had such a short time (3 months) to pull it together it made sense to live & train here. Unfortunately the venue was not ready (no docks & no ramps to access the ramps) - so we decided to do a 5 day training camp in Miami.  So I arrived to MIA on Oct. 18 - as did a tornado & a monster storm.  Being the country bumpkin that I am - I had to call down from the 8th floor of my hotel to find out what one does in the event of a tornado!!!! It was weird - I was watching TV & the announcer would state "don't worry - you won't miss a moment of dancing with the stars but just wanted to update you on the location of the tornado".... I don't get people's priorities (then again - why was I watching DWS?)

Picture does not do this justice - 8 am during a crazy storm

This is Miami - does it look nice???

Anyhow, needless to say - we did not sail this day. I can't remember what it was blowing - but too crazy & dangerous for us. So what does one do.... boat work AGAIN.

Well then we got out with US SKUD 053 - Scott Whitman & Julia Dorsett. We had an excellent 4 days of training with US SKUD Coach Jonathan Farrar.  Ken & I got a major ass-kicking the first few days but then we started to work it out & I think challenged S&J. We were pretty happy - S&J are one of the top teams in the World!!!

After that I headed to Kingston, Ontario for a few days of meetings. I am the Athlete's Rep on the Athlete Development Committee for the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA). It was a good set of meetings - but I spent from noon to 9 PM in meetings on my birthday!!!! Good thing is a ran into a few people that I had not realized would be there and that made it all worthwhile. In addition, to the meeting I was able to get 2 visits in with David, Elisha, Henry & Daisy Heasman - good friends in Toronto.  We managed to go out & celebrate my B-day after the fact.

While I was back in Canada - Ken continued to train against Scott & Julia. Bob Jones (who use to crew on the SKUD & good friend of Ken's) came out to fill in for me.  Their team was coined the "Old Bastard Team" - very funny. Those two kind of remind me of the 2 old guys on the Muppet's - Statler & Waldorf.

Halloween - I am back in Miami & back training.... Weather is better & sailing is good. Four more days on the water. But we were only 2 teams of 2 for one day. Julia was down & out starting on Tuesday. Scott sailed with Pat vs Ken & me..... big winds - so great down wind. But then we went through a gybe - I got Ken around the neck with the mainsheet (don't worry I did not strangle him) but he did re-injured his shoulder.  So then he was out. Down to me & Scott. We had a great sail in big winds & chop on Day 3.  Day 4 was back to me & Ken & we had a great day - I think the picture below is from that day.

Hey look that's Miami!!!

What day are we at now???? I think Nov. 4 - 6. I managed to get in on Sonar (3-person paralympic class boat) Training camp with 2 US Teams, 1 CAD, 1 NOR & 2 of us from Team Paradise.  Check out the blog on that... http://www.teamparadise.org/mag-blog/paralympic-training-camp.html

I really enjoyed sailing the Sonar - I was only responsible for 1 sail - the jib - unlike when I sail the SKUD & I have 3 sails to trim. 

Brenda