Flying Dutchman Training weekend a great success

'Norman & Richard flat out testing rigs and sails in preparation for worlds in Dec/Jan not that long!! Using Aussie icon for spreader adjustment - Flying Dutchman Training weekend 2nd-3rd August' Bruce Hollis

Two days of perfect Flying Dutchman sailing conditions. Saturday the breeze was 20knots+ and all particapants by the end of the day were going fast and high.

The Flying Dutchman loves being on third hole (raked mast and using 3rd clew on Jib as seen in photo) and Saturday was a perfect strength to allow the crews to get the idea of what is required to set the boat up as well as how to drive the boat hard up wind and down wind with out being blown over.

getting into the grove of sailing the Fd in 20+ knots and staying up right in the gusts - Flying Dutchman Training weekend 2nd-3rd August - Bruce Hollis

Day 2was 10 to 15 knots and we concentrated on more detailed boat set up and handling with short racing.Having a little less wind allowed the participants to develop the skills they learnt on day one.

Our new members to the Flying Dutchaman Fleet are people out of skiff's and sport boats and small yachts who are looking for a boat that goes through the ranges and you dont need to be a fly weight to be competitive in the class.

One new member to the FD fleet Matthew Mitchell had this to say.

'A big thank you again to Norman, Richard and Bruce Hollis for giving up their weekend to provide coaching, we all learnt a great deal. The weather could not have been better for the five boats out Saturday and the three on Sunday. We probably learnt more about FD sailing over the past two days than from individual efforts over the past year'.

Richard giving instant feedback. Coaching gets you on the pace a lot fast. You will make more gains in 2hrs with a coach than you will by your self in 1 year - Flying Dutchman Training weekend 2nd-3rd August - Bruce Hollis

There will be more training leading up to the boats leaving for the worlds in New Zealand; there are approximately 14 weekends of sailing available prior to packing boats for NZ!

If you are looking for a great class to sail have a look at our web site www.fd.net.au. Or if you would like a test sail contact richardscarr(at)hotmail.com