Yachtsman.
46.
X-35 One Design class
The sport of sailing dates back thousands of years. Today, all sorts of boats compete in different classes and competition formats. We mainly sail in the X-35 One Design class. This is a relatively new class that the International Sailing Federation has recently chosen to focus on, which is why we now have World and European Championship status.
The X-35
An X-35 is 10.6 metres long and 3.3 metres wide. The boat weighs 4,500 kg. When sailing to windward, we have a sail area of about 75 square metres, but downwind with the spinnaker flying that increases by 105 square metres. According to the class rules, the crew must weigh no more than 640 kg, which means that most boats are sailed by 7-8 people, although we have encountered Japanese boats with over 10 crew members.
One design racing and handicap racing
Yacht racing comes in two forms, one design and handicap. One design racing means that all the boats in the starting field are the same. This is the form of sailing used at the Olympics and in the most prestigious competitions. X-35 is one of these international one design classes. Handicap racing allows boats of different designs to compete against each other, with each boat given a handicap to account for its performance.
After the race, the finishing times are adjusted according to this handicap so that boats that perform differently can compete against each other on equal terms. The handicap can either be calculated by measuring the boats or through statistics on how the type of boat has performed in previous races. We mostly compete in the one design regattas, but occasionally we also take part in handicap races.
Inshore racing
The form of the different races also varies. In yachting, we distinguish between inshore racing and offshore racing. With inshore racing, a regatta comprises a number of short-course races around strategically placed buoys. Traditionally we sail a windward-leeward course, which involves the boats sailing 2-4 times around a course involving windward and leeward legs.
A race usually lasts around an hour and is very fast-paced, with lots of manoeuvring at close quarters to outsmart the other boats. The tempo of the event keeps the crew’s pulse racing. It’s incredibly important for clothing to be comfortable and well ventilated while at the same time protecting against bad weather. Conditions on board often vary wildly. One moment it can be sunny and sweaty, the next you can have squalls and waves crashing over the boat.
It’s therefore important to be able to wear several layers that can be varied accordingly. Being too hot or cold drastically reduces the crew’s performance. Eating is kept for between races. During a race, we keep sports drinks handy to keep our fluid levels balanced. This is the type of racing that we mostly take part in.
Offshore racing
We do, however, also compete in a number of offshore races, including Gotland Runt. In an offshore race, the boats follow a long-distance course that usually takes several days. The racing usually takes place on the open seas, so the boats have to be able to manage on their own and safety concerns are paramount.
This type of sailing offers entirely different challenges for the crew. Tacking takes place relatively infrequently and so can be well planned. Here the key factor is stamina. It is crucial to be able to maintain concentration, push the boat to the limit and strategically make the right course choices. Under normal conditions, the crew is divided into two watches that take turns sailing the boat and resting.
It is essential to keep energy levels up with suitable food and drink. The demands on race clothing are also much tougher, as the crew usually has to live in it for the whole regatta.
Steering the right course
A key aspect of all racing is choosing the right course between the islands and buoys that make up the course. With offshore racing in particular, where the legs of the course are long, this is often the critical factor. Wind direction, wind speed and currents have to be exploited to the full. This is a question of both experience and technology. The boat’s main computer gathers data from a range of sensors (e.g. speed, wind speed, wind direction, heel angle, GPS position, course steered etc) and weather information (downloaded from the internet) showing the meteorological pressure differences that create the wind. All this information is used to plot the best possible course and take those all-important strategic decisions.
Teamwork
Another key aspect is, of course, how well we manage to sail the boat. This is partly about boat handling, i.e. carrying out all manoeuvres quickly and smoothly, and trimming, i.e. setting the boat’s sails so that it goes as fast as possible in every situation. Ultimately, good results come down to practice. It’s not easy to get eight people to take the right decision together and to carry out all the necessary manoeuvres as a team in every situation.
Even though the individuals in our team each have a great deal of racing experience, they still have to gel as a crew. Each person also has to constantly develop their physical and mental abilities, plus the boat has to be kept in peak condition. We all know that this takes a lot of time and remain focused on making progress.
Ocean Race Jacket and Ocean Race Pant
A fantastically comfortable and practical set of clothing that is ideal for both top-level racing and family sailing. The fact that they are well built and come in great colours is no bad thing either.
Multi Full Zip
Used under the race jacket to keep warm in harsh conditions and as a jacket in milder weather. The fact is, this microfleece is so comfortable that it’s become one of my favourites just for everyday use too.
Merino Wool Underwear
The wool allows this underwear to keep you warm even when wet, without getting too hot when the going gets tough, which is vital in a sport like yacht racing, where the pace varies so much.
The boat is out of the water. We are now focused on following up the finished season and planning for 2012. Recently we had a crew meeting, analysing our results of 2011. After a careful evaluation, the plan of 2012 is now slowly taking shape.
The weather was great and sunny with a large audience. The season finale was therefore a very successful event. Day one included five yacht races. The races were tight but we sailed well and kept us mostly among the top boats. After the first day we were on third spot. Day two we sailed a distance race where we finished fifth. In total on GP4 we stopped at fourth place.
When all the races in the 2011 VW Cup were counted together Team Sandholm Associates stopped on an overall fifth place. Since we had some trouble early in the season, we find the total as an OK result. We’ve got a lot of experience that we will work with during the autumn and winter training.
This year's World Cup went both up and down for us. Day one started very badly with a material failure just before the start. We made it around the track in the first race, but of course with a bad result. Second race the same day we had to break to repair. Day two we luckily stayed in the very top. This showed that we had good speed and ability to put us on top. Which was confirmed in several races. The exception was the high-wind races. Not surprising for us, since we haven’t trained in such hard wind this year. In total we ended on a 20 spot in the World Cup, but we know that we have more to give! Without materials failure and with improved high-wind sailing, we feel that this result can be drastically improved. With that in mind, we continue the commitment of the team!
On the weekend of 21-22 of May the X-35 first Grand Prix started. On saturday we sailed five races and on sunday we sailed one distance racing. All of this in fantastic weather and good wind.
We were very excited before the race. Probably a bit too excited because we had several false starts that devastated our final results. We experienced that we learned a lot and that this has brought us ideas to the coming training. This is important because our main goal with the World Cup and all other sail races is learning and developing within the team.
It is a pity to have a false start and have to start the race behind all the other boats, but it is better to do it now than to risk it when it really counts.
The boat and sails were splendid. What it will take now is more training to trim the crew even more. The following weekends will contain several Grand Prix sails so now we reload big time!
Now we work at full speed. The slow spring has left us with a lot of catching up in a short time.
Volkswagen x-35 Cup 2012 och World Champinship 2013
After the finished season my main focus is on volkswagen x-35-cup 2012. We are also waiting for the request outcome of World Championships in Sweden 2013!
We ended on a fifth place in the VW-Cup 2011 and had some problems in the beginning of the season. Despite this, we gained great experience that it’s time to work with now during the fall and winter. Along with that, we’ll have physical training, technic development and testing of new equipment.
During the season that has been, we have had Swedemounts sailor clothing in competitions and training. We have nothing else to give but fame, they are easy to wear when we work and train and they are very comfortable. During this fall and winter we’ll continue to wear Swedemounts clothes.
When next season start we’ll be on top!
Now we are waiting for the ice to disapeare so we can launch the boat and start training on the sea. Through winter there has been preparation regarding the physical shape of the crew and get the boat in good condition. We have performed a number of technique- and workshops regarding rules the latest months.
The competition season is now over for the autumn. We finished 2nd in the Swedish Grand Prix series.
We’ll soon be switching to basic training ready for next season. There’s plenty that could do with finetuning when it comes to manoeuvring and boat handling. We also have a few new sails that need testing.
Over the winter, we’ll be working on our physical fitness and attending a series of seminars with some of the other Swedish and Finnish boats, focusing on various theoretical ideas that could be developed – rules, use of our computerised systems, gathering experience from this year’s championship and so on.
Next year, own main goal is the World Cup in Århus, Denmark, next September.
Beyond that, we’ll be focusing on our GP series, which will probably be run in tandem with Finland and perhaps also Poland.
When you sail it is very important to dress properly wether you are cruising or sail racing. The conditions aboard can vary a lot. From situations where you with the wrong clothes gets soaked, shivers and feeling cold to situations where the heat and the sun feels unbearable when no shade is in sight at sea.
The base in dressing for sailing is well-functioning rain-suit that is waterproof and at the same time has a good breathability and a good ability to remove moist and heat. Even in good weather you often use the rain-suit pants separate as it is not unusual that some water hits boat deck where you are sitting. Under the rain-suit you should dress in layers. First layer is underwear. At longer sailings this layer should be made of wool that keeps you warm even if it is damp. On top of this micro-fleece is a very good garment. At least in our Nordic seas. If it is very cold, as it usually is in early spring before the water temperature goes up, you often need a regular fleece on top of this.
When it is warmer weather you also need a less warm garment. A polo shirt and shorts is usually a good choice.
