Sailing Thing #10: 470 (Type of Boat 3)

May 07, 2012 14:52

We've reached my 'home' class - I currently sail 470s and have been sailing them since 2006. They are the current Olympic equipment for men and women double-handed dinghies, which is why the trip I'm currently on is what we call the Olympic circuit. It probably goes without saying that these boats are raced at a very high level internationally.

More 470 facts. )

photos, sailing, 100 sailing things, picspam

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Comments 8

dbn_broberg May 7 2012, 09:22:59 UTC
Amazing pictures!

When you do that trapeze thingy - how often do you fall/slip and slam into the boat or the water?

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shiiki May 7 2012, 14:00:42 UTC
I guess how often would depend on a variety of factors, including how experienced you are, how bumpy the water is with the waves, and how strong the wind is. (Usually the last two go together ( ... )

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dbn_broberg May 7 2012, 16:48:27 UTC
Oh okay! Your poor thigh though ;-)

Does Sara wear some special shoes that gives her a better grip?

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shiiki May 7 2012, 16:55:49 UTC
On the scale of things that could happen (and do happen once in a blue moon), getting pinched is hardly anything.

My partner before Sara once got knocked by a wave and fell with the boat smack between her legs. Really loudly. It sounded like she'd broken her girl parts. (She was okay, though, it was just a hard knock.)

We both wear sailing boots, which help. (Also, I think I'd better have a separate post on those as sailing essentials!)

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roh_wyn May 7 2012, 14:48:29 UTC
A lot about sailing this boat is finesse: how we trim the sails, how we move our body weight in the boat.

I always imagined there was a lot of finesse involved, but I can see how you might need to retrain for every class of sailboat in a way.

How did you get into sailing?

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shiiki May 7 2012, 15:04:36 UTC
I can see how you might need to retrain for every class of sailboat in a way.

There are definitely class-specific techniques and tricks, but I think the basics apply quite generally across the board, fortunately!

How did you get into sailing?

It's quite random, actually. My parents sent my brothers and me for a class when I was 10, on the recommendation from a family friend. And then I just continued. I won't say 'because I liked it', because I cannot remember if I loved it from day 1 - I think it took a while, really, my memory's just fuzzy on that point. But I know that definitely when I was 12, I was very keen to keep sailing, when I was 15, I was completely in love, and by the time I was 18, I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

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willow_wand May 11 2012, 00:49:49 UTC
I'm so amazed by you. I've always known how hard you've worked and trained but I think I'm finally understanding just how much skill you have to have. I'm not surprised, I just think it's a little easier to understand, I guess? :) You're awesome.

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shiiki May 11 2012, 06:19:04 UTC
*blushes* Thank you.

I think every sport has skills specific to it, just that in the less common sports, those skills aren't so obvious to the general public. I'm glad these posts are helping to make sailing more clear to you guys!

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