Florida to Italy
The month of April brought excellent training conditions, which helped to balance out the intense rigor of school as my semester is wrapping up.
Clearwater
Training this month was 100% focused on getting as prepared as possible for the European championships in Lake Garda, Italy beginning May 16th. There was a huge focus on overall board-speed, and maneuvers in flat water. I felt improvement in both of these areas, especially in my maneuvers, where I got a lot more consistent in my tacks.
I left for Lake Garda to begin my training on April 28th. I am lucky enough that my chemistry and immunology professors allowed me to take my final exams early, allowing me to get to the lake with 15 days to sail leading into the event. I am also extremely lucky that this summer I am not taking any classes, so I will be able to devote all of my energy into improving myself as a sailor.
Lago Di Garda
I arrived at the lake at 11am the 29th after 18 hours of consecutive travelling. I was tired, hungry, and dehydrated, but filled with excitement for what was to come. I planned on not sailing the day I arrived, but once I got to the club, I could not resist the perfect conditions, and opportunity to train with the Dutch National Team. Going into the event, I was worried there would be a speed deficit between myself and the international sailors, but I am pleased to say that I was just as quick as the Dutch sailors I was testing with, which adds even more fuel to the fire that is my passion to improve.
One would think that the biggest challenges of the session would be the lack of energy, or perhaps sailing in a place I have never been, but the challenge was neither of these things. The biggest challenge I faced in my first session was not getting distracted by how stunningly beautiful the lake is. Not only are the conditions perfect, but the lake is easily the most beautiful place I have ever been. I am excited to spend the next 3 weeks here before heading to the Netherlands on the 23rd.
All the best,
Noah Lyons
USA-6
