Sailing: Chris Grube diary part five – a solid start to World Sailing Championships

Dec 8 2011 by Dave Goodban, Chester Chronicle

Chester’s Chris Grube, 26, and sailing partner Nick Rogers have reached a crucial point in their bid to qualify for the London Olympics. Selection hinges on the pair’s performance at the World Sailing Championships in Australia, from where Chris has been writing a weekly diary for Chronicle readers

ELEVEN races over seven days. The world’s best sailors lined up on one start line.

To come away with a victory at the end of this week would mean a lot to most people, but it means everything to Nick and I – including Olympic selection.

Our run-up to the event went smoothly. We have trained hard and the new boat is perfect and, most importantly, she’s fast.

Prior to racing the boat goes through measurement to make sure it’s within the strict class rules. Normally a stressful time for competitors, but our boat KX passed with no problems at all.

It is odd, the mind games that go on in sport, and this was especially so in the British camp this week, with three teams going for one spot!

Still, it’s important to stick to your own game plan and keep focused on the task whatever happens.

We are now at the end of day two of the Sailing World Championships.

The start of the first race was a nerve-racking one, with us being buried and unable to get clear. Luckily the start was recalled as many boats were over the line.

When the race restarted we made a perfect start, only to make a mistake halfway through the race. We pulled back to 14th. Race two was much better and we finished fifth.

Not a bad start to our competition.

The aim of the game is consistency and not to give away points early on to keep yourself in the running. You can’t win the championship on the first day, but you can lose it.

Today (Tuesday) racing has been cancelled due to big thunderstorms and heavy rain, but we were looking forward to upping our game tomorrow (Wednesday).

Follow our progress on Facebook page GB470gold.