Int. Bonaire regatta 2011

The Bonaire regatta is a competion which take place in the season with not much wind, but this yer we where pretty lucky as we had everyday planning conditions.
One day in the rainstorm I even was crazy overpowered and because of the  very heavy rain I was totaly disorientated but found my way to the finsish.
For me this event was to practise for the PANAM games in Mexico next week.
The training went pretty good as I made very good starts, was choosing many times the correct side and was most of the time ahead of the rest. I managed a few times to round the first mark just behind Taty Frans who is realy amazing on the formula.








Results:

Windsurf Women

1. Monique Meijer

Windsurf kids 13                  Windsurf JR 15          Windsurf JR 17         Windsurf Men class    
1.Stepherd Guslowski          1. Jurgen Saragoza      1. Dylan Robles        1. Ethienne Soliano

OLYMPIC TEST EVENT WEYMOUTH- LONDON PREPARES 2011

OLYMPIC TEST EVENT WEYMOUTH- LONDON PREPARES 2011

5 August 2011
By nb28monique on 09:25

4th untill 11th of August 2011 London prepares for the Olympic games 2012

I arrived quite earlie already in weymouth on the 25th to be able to train here with the best of the world. Just the Britsch had a big suprise for us as we couldn't get onto the venue till the 30st. So after two days of looking for another place I found at the little harbour Ferry Bridge a place to store my equipment and to entre the water. As also did some other teams like Argetina, Mexico, Thailand and Venuzuela.
But again bad luck. They day after I arrived and when I wanted to get ready I noticed someone had hit my board the evening before so big holes in my board. Lucky and very happy the coach of Argentinia helpt me to fix the board but another day not on the water and stuck to the running on shore.
After 3 days I finaly could go on the water, from this moment I had some nice training days with the other teams. One day we did very short races with many starts and the other day with 8 teams we did long races in very light wind conditions.
Then the 30st we moved the gear over the water to the venue after a short training.
After the registration, where you get your accreditation we where aloud to entre the venue. The new sailing club of Weymouth & Portland was built in 2005 is very nice, well organised and a lot of space.
For the boats there are special places where to put the boats by country. For the windsurfers there is a special tent where all the equipment can be stored in during the event, so doesn't need to be outside all week.
On the 2nd of August I was sceduled for the mesearment. This means I had to go across the street with al my gear to a special tent where they check all the gear, if it has the correct serie numbers, sizes and weight. My board was 18,8 with all the extra's on it and was only 400 gr more then the minimum what was aloud, so not bad at all.

 Day 1- Practise day. Today we had only a practise race this is meant for us to know where the course will be set and for the organisation to see if everything works. For me it was a tof day ar the organisation decided to put the course of the RSX not in between the walls but far outside at Weymouth Bay West. So I went out at the same time as the men and arrived after more then a hour at the course area. I wasn't aloud to go in as the men where still starting. They only went till the upwind mark. After 2 hours waiting and have some support from the rescue crew, the women fleet finaly had there start. We got LR2. My start was oke. It was non planning conditions and about 8 knots. After 1,5 lap everyone decided to stop and go back on the coach boats to shore. One of the rescue boats brought me all the way back what already took 25 min. don't want to think how long it would have taken me without boat upwind back!

Day 2- 4th of August we had the first real racing day. It was a long night, as outside it was all night storm and rain and the tent was moving a lot. Also in the morning it kept raining but lucky for us the rain finaly stopped at the moment we preparing the gear. It was a nice breeze today side shore so wouldn't be to hard to get to the start today, as it was going to be again at Weymouth Bay west, so far away. It took me 25 min. this time. I was again to earlie but at least was able to follow the men's race from the water. Around 14.00 hour we had our start. Today LS2, so two times upwind mark with a slalom at the finish. My start was oke, daggerboard down, mast track position eight, sail closes. All does things Im not used to any of this in the slalom. After 100m everyone went back to planning settings. Oh, no I need to, but lucky everything went in one time, so didn't cost to much time. I decided to go to the right what later was a good desicion. For my level I was racing realy what I could. I was tiered but clocked at 38 minutes my finish. I was sure I made it in time, last but I finshed. The second race started just after I finished I had not enough time to rest but wanted to try. But now I was to tiered and didn't make it on time. Back to the shore I got my "own" support boat. Back on shore I heard the others saying it was tof conditions, very tecnical and tactic racing today and the second race was to long. So overall I was happy about my own performance today. (www.saling.org)

Day 3- Today we where sailing late in afternoon. First start at 15.00 hour in Nothe Bay, just outside the walls……Light wind conditions.
Day 4- Official we should have sailed again on the far outside course, but somehow they changed the scedule and we where planned at Portland Bay for 14.00 hour. So I was quite happy about that. First of all it was later in the day so could rest longer and much easier to get to the course.

Day 5- Today we had a reserve day scedule and as we did all 6 races in the last three days we had a day off, what was nice. Just to rest and also some little sightseeing in the area.

Day 6- Also today we had to sail in the harbour. I had a great start in planning conditions. We had a LS3. For me was going to be very difficuilt to make three rounds on time, with a slalom at the finsish. I don't know how I did, but I finshed on time. Completly tiered but so happy I did. To tell the true it was just 5 sec. left on the watch but I did.
The second race of the day I decided to start and to see how far I would get, but knew I gave everything already. I had not so good start as the first run but was trying to get the layliens of the rest. The first round I wasn't doing to bad, but lost to much in the second round that I could keep up. So at the end I lost to much and didn't make the time. At least I tried and didn't gave up before like some other did.
 

Day 7- Again a day at the Northe, first start planned at 14.00 hour. But already on shore we heard many problems with the men starts. Everything was on late. At 15.00 hour the AP flag on shore went down for the women and I had 45 minutes to go to the start. Some bad luck as at that moment I broke my batten and wisser. The Brazilian coach told me just to try and see how far I could go. So I did. Again we also had many starts, think 5 times Ap flag up in last few seconds. So for sure I trained my starts this day. Then we had to move the course again and we where racing. I was good on the line between Spain and Poland who where 1st and 2nd placed at that moment. Just this time Spain didn't do good so not very good to folllow at this time. Anyway at the upwind mark almost no wind so very tricky course area, very shifty wind too. Then pomping all the way down wind to make another lap after the gate. I was pulling the sail as much I could on the down wind and hanging as much I could under my boom upwind and Yes still the Blue Flag was up after I passed the finsh line. Crazy but for me it's all about the time now.
Second race we had on the inside of the harbour as we had a few tries and didn't work with the wind. Inside the harbour I felt comfortable even with my broken gear I thought this is last race and I will show I can do this. I had not the best start but could hold the laylines of the others longer then the other races. I was very close behind the rest and finshed…
Out of 10 race I made: two times DNF, few 28, two times 27 and even a 25, so on this level I'm quite happy with my results as know I'm just starting and the rest is doing this for many more years then me. Each day closer to the time of the first one. In begin 15 min behind and last races less then 10 min. and more competion with the countries like Argentinia, Denmark and Portugal.

For me this event was a good training for the PANAM games, to check the location and of course to see my level against the rest in the world. The last I know is still far but not impossible. 

A very special thanks to the people in the rescue boats and in the tracking room , as they been supporting me  a lot this week and cheering for me, so guys thanks and hope to see you all next year.

My next competion will be the PANAM games in October.

25TH ARUBA HI WINDS 29TH OF JUNE UNTILL 4TH OF JULY 2011

29 June 2011
By nb28monique on 21:07

25th Aruba Hi winds.

Day 1- It's one of the events I like the most. It's a very nice place to sail, The people always friendly and a lot of parties. Check out for more info: Aruba Hi winds
Today the registartaion took part but I arrived late because of work.
I arrived safe on Aruba with Insel Air who helpend by sponsoring me again. Patun picked me up at the airport in Aruba. From there we went to the Busters Garage. Here was the opening ceremonie be held. After a nice dinner there wherry some speeces and we had some chats wit other participaints.
After all was done we went to Aruba Holliday appartements wat was very close to the beach.

Day 2- First day of slalom competion. After a goodnight sleep we went on time to the beach to get the gear ready. As my gear was stil there but had to put the fins back on and prepair the rigs.
At the skippers meeting they told I was in heat #9. The course was a downwind 4 jibes slalom wit pretty long legs.
Going to the start I felt oke on my 6.6m2 and 97l board, but not much later the wind was picking up and whlie the heats continue it was geting only stronger, but no time to change gear. So all I could do was to hold on. It was not enough. My start was good. Some how we got a recall, but second start still good, just fell at one of the jibes.  I finishend 5th.
The seconde ellimination I had changes my sail to a Maui Sails 5.9m2 and now the wind droppend a lot, I had not enough power to get my topspeed. I was at place 3 buut fel in because a guy from the otter heat (grandmasters) was lating at one of the marks and I fel in. I finishend 4th, what was for me a very disapointed start of the vent, but I new many more heats wil follow, this week.

Day 3- When I arrived at the beach, I could see it wasn't to windy as the other days. I went on the water to test to see how it was out there. In Aruba it's very difficuilt to tell on the beach how the wind is out on the water. It was good i went out to see as I couldn't move with my 6.6m2, so quick back to the beach to change to my 7.8m2. Now I was moving. It felt good for me.
But then they started with heat # 6 as there we stopped the day before and over and over Oscar the race director made them and other heats start, without any result. I seen the AP flag up many times and every try ending with a cancel the race flag. We tried for almost 2 hours, without any result. Then back to the beach for lunch.
After lunch at 14.00 hour they wantend us again on the water. With same results many times tryng to start, even heat 3 and 4 who already had done ellimination 3? And me in the women class heat # 9, just standing in the water and wattig, crazy. After one hour the race commitee gave up. I was upset as this are conditions I know I'm strong, but when others have no big sails you never will sail 12 knots light wind courses. As I did the full course after they canchelled and I was planning all way trough with my 107l and 7.8m2.
As we finished earlier then expected we had tem to jump in the pool at the appartements.

Day 4- Today we had the long distance on the scedule and it seems to be very winti out there. We went at 9.45 hour to the beach to get prepaired. Then they told me that we noot going to do the long distance but slalom because we didn't do any the day before. I oculdn't believe it. How can you change just before racing the compleet different discipline. Anyway couldn't change it, so no big board and sail, Back to the gear I can also gold in big chop and around the marks. We started and now the heat's where follow up very quick after another.
I was on the 86l and 5.9m2 a combination I never used before on races and i only tried out onsen in Bonaire. Just because the wind never is so strong to use. Now it was god. I was ronding the marks nice and manage to have a 2-2-2. Then I started to get tiered I think. As we had no break. So the last two elliminations I finishend twice in 4th place. But overall I was happy about me results from toddy. As Nicole was sailing strong and me on the small gear, wat isn't my favorite.

Day 5- Today we did do the longdistance. And the wind wasn't as strong as the day before. I decided to go 6.6m2 and 107l board. This was the perfect set up, because many people couldn't keep planning all the way through the marks and I did. So many people stopped while I was passing with speed. I just made a little bit to wide jibe in the first round so finished 2nd in my categorie and tink 4 overall.
The seconde long distance was for me a very bad start as fell in the starling time and wit about 70 sails around you, No fun as you have very "dirty" wind. But the same happend as the race before, I still had speed where others didn't had. I passed many people and finished again 2nd. I was quite oke as now I was in 2nd place overall, after a bad start of the event.
After we doen wit racing there was a kite long distance and freestyle competion. The freestyle comeption was won by Choco Frans who won $ 1000,- on cash money.
During the weekend there was a big crowed on the beach to watch the competions and of course to join the Amstel bright happy hours. 

Day 6- Already the last day of the competion. Today I wanted to make sure not to loose my 2nd place as wasn't possible to reach 1st place anymore.
I was starling strong all day, just perfect timing. I started at the pin.
Now because I had suchs a good starts and felt good with the gear i was flying. But i relaised very late I was going around mark 4 instead of mark 2. I couldn't believe it. Later I saw it was a bit more opwind and so var I hardly could see buut the other girls did so a DNF for me.
In the seconde race something happend. I was in 3rd positron sailing "free" to he finish line and just a couple of meters before I saw a nice lillte fellow stikking gis had out of the water. I big slam of me a second later. I hit a TURTLE with about 50 km/ h. Who can ever think about that. After I got back on the board I velt not great buut passed the line to go back to the start. While I did I saw my harnesline was broken.
At the start Patun (he was for sure not lossing his 1st place) was so kind to give me his harnesline so I could continue for one more race.
I had such a good race but felt the presure behind me. I couldn't keep my heat cool and fel at the last mark and went forum 1st to 4th place.
Back to the beach and noot knowing wat this score was going to do wit my overall position.
We cleaned up everything on the beach. Bords and bas back in the bas, ready to go home.
In afternoon we went to Bula Surf shop to get of course the Dushi yiu t-shirts and many other cool stuff.
In the evening we had the pricegiving at the shopping mall.
It was again a good event for Bonaire. Many of us in the prices and for me lilttle unexpected stil in 2nd place. Was happy as wasn't my best event, but worked hard to get this results

Training in Holland

31 May 2011
By nb28monique on 10:16

May 30st.- I'm now in almere and traing with Esther de Geus, she is the twin sister from Lilian with whom I was competing in Medemblik.

Today we packed the California (a small little VW camper). We managed to get two full RSX sets inside. It was almost impossible. Esther had to hang/ sit between the gear and the litlte kitchen so she could tell me the way to drive. Today we decided to go to Almere Haven (strand), it's also where the windsurf club is. It was very gusty from nothing, so pumping conditions to planning conditions every 5 minutes. For me a very good traing to keep changing the settings and re-act quick on the gust. Another problem was the seaweat. It was dragging behind my daggerboard or fin all the time and I had to make all different moves to get it off or when nothing ws working even jump in the water. But it was nice a sunny so no problem.
We did twice a sesion and I do understand now more the pumping and when you do what.

* Esther between all the RSX gear in the VW.              

 Two RSX sets in the van.

May 31st.- Raining day in Holland again. Now I remember again how the weather was in Holland. I prever the constant 32 degrees in Bonaire and when it rains it's only for maybe 10 minutes. Normaly.
Today is the plan to go to Muiderzand. So we will see.

The plan changed a bit as there was a gate which blocked the road to the area in Muiderberg we wanted to windsurf, so we went to Pampus instead. It was not a bad dission. We rigged under the big windmills and not much later we sailed out the little bay. I had some grass behind me so had to stop to get it away and in beginning a big problem with my harness but when everything was set correct I was feeling good. 

I couldn't get so much upwind as Esther so after a little chat on the water what to change it went already muchs better and could hold the same course and speed as here. We been going upwind for almost 1 hour and almost reach the otehrside Uitdam. Then we started to train our downwind tecknic. It is for me the most difficuilt part as the wind dropped and was messarble windlimit for planning downwind, but got some runs, so was nice. Close to shore we had some nice speed runs in the bay and then we quickly de-rigged and put everything in the van to get home and have some dinner made by Jeroen the brother of the twins.

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