Stokes Bay was the scene for our last training session before the Europeans. Once again, our local guides Kevin and Jo played the perfect hosts on hand to offer setup tips and discuss control configurations.

A good number of Team GB also turned up as it was the staging point for the boats going over with Mike Cooke and Rod Harris. It was great to see everyone and then watch with excitement as all the boats got dismantled and loaded on to the trailer.

Nestled in amongst the boats was Rod’s brand new Mach2 still in all it’s wrapping and shiny travel box.

Surely it’s going to be named “Hot Rod”??

The winds were not playing ball for most of the day until most of the boats were packed up and Jonnie and I were getting ready to head back when at around 3:30 it swung and filled in to a sublime 16 knots which gave us one last opportunity to sail before the Euros. Kevin, Jo, Jonnie and myself enjoyed a couple of hours on the water and thanks to Kevin’s set up tips, I was really happy with the boat. I managed one super sizzling gybe where I finally was in control the whole way through and came out at full speed. I worked out the error was in the final stages and footwork. Hopefully after the euros we (Ninjario and I) will be in a different zone as we develop a better understanding of each other as I hear the lake is long and thin which means plenty of gybes downhill.

Kevin and Jo are ones to watch as they have been sailing in the Solent chop without adjustable wands which baffles me as I found it not too different to Worthing. If the nationals are there next year and we get good winds, I envisage a lot of carnage downhill.

So Friday is drive day for us, we’ll dismantle the boats and load up the van ready for the ferry crossing at 9:25 pm followed by a looooong drive over to switzerland. I’ll be taking the camera so hope to bag loads of good pics for the blog and the UK site.

So for now it’s good bye to Rod, Mike, Emma, Martin Fear and 2 litres of bulmers as they make their way to Switzerland. Pete Barton and Ben Paton are on the ferry before us on Friday and I guess everyone else will be heading over in drips and drabs.