Sail Brisbane 2024 - Gradual Return to Racing
After months of rehabilitation and hard work, I finally returned to the racecourse at Sail Brisbane. This milestone was a testament to the resilience and determination it took to overcome my shoulder injury and get back on the water. Competing at my home club, the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, made it even more special.
A Challenging Start
We had planned three days of training followed by three days of racing. However, the El Niño summer in Australia brought unpredictable weather to Brisbane. Storms forced us to miss a day of training and a day of racing, but we made the most of the two productive days we had. For the first time post-injury, I pumped, sailed, and trained alongside others, rediscovering the joy of being back on the water.
The Regatta
The first day of the regatta saw four slalom races completed, though technically five were attempted—the first race was abandoned after the fleet rounded the wrong mark. During the initial race, I picked up a massive stick that had washed into the bay due to recent rains, causing me to crash and lose my lead. Fortunately, that race was abandoned, allowing me to refocus. From that point forward, I won every race of the day.
The second day of racing was cancelled due to high winds, but the third day brought 25-knot conditions with choppy water. We completed four three-lap course races. While I approached this day with some trepidation, given it was my first time sailing in such conditions since my injury, I focused on building confidence gradually. My cautious approach paid off, as I sailed cleanly and my shoulder held up fantastically.
Winning the Regatta
I am thrilled to share that I won the regatta with six points from eight races, having won every single race. This achievement feels like a huge step forward in my comeback journey, reaffirming my readiness to compete at a high level once again.
Reflections and Gratitude
Although I wasn’t racing at 100%, I’m incredibly happy with my performance. My shoulder felt strong, and I was able to maintain a positive mindset throughout the event. It was amazing to compete again, especially at my home club and alongside the Australian windsurfing community.
This regatta was about more than results; it was about proving to myself that I’m ready to return to racing. I’m immensely grateful to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help me recover so well and so quickly. This event marked an important step in my journey back to full competition mode.
Looking Ahead
With a small Christmas break ahead, I plan to work on the consistency of my foiling tacks before diving into preparation for the European season starting in March. The transition to the 7.3m sail will also be a key focus as I gear up for the next phase of my campaign.
Sail Brisbane was a reminder of why I love this sport and how much I’ve missed racing. This experience has left me more motivated than ever to continue pushing toward my goals. Bring on the 2025 season!
