The Pre-Olympic regatta is the peak of the 2007 windsurfing season. I have focused all my efforts this year towards qualifying as Britain’s RS:X womens representative to compete in what is an exact copy of the Olympic Games. I am out now in Qingdau, China where we have already experienced what extreme weather conditions this venue has to offer. Coming out to Qingdau earlier than any other team, the British have given themselves an immediate advantage in learning the characteristics of this strange venue.

Despite achieving selection for the Pre-Olympics, my performance in qualification for this competition did not go as I had hoped. The main event that the British Selection Committee was looking at was the World Championships in Cascais, Portugal in July this year. I finished a disappointing 12th, having still not recovered from a virus that wiped me out over June/July. When I caught the virus I was preparing for the European Championships in Cyprus in June. I had to fly home early from the competition in order to rest and recover. Then three weeks later I had to start competing at the Worlds which was an extremely physical event and I was nowhere near 100% fitness. I would try to convince myself I was fine because I had to sail well, but despite some great results in the first few races (including a race win) my results tailed off on the final few days. The only bonus was that I was the top British female after a two-year battle with Lucy (Horwood) and Christine (Johnson) and I managed to qualify for my country for a place at the Olympics.

In contrast to my poor preparation for the Worlds, my preparation for the Pre-Olympics has been great. I eventually got over the virus after about five weeks so training on my road bike in the UK (in between rain showers) has let me get my fitness back on track. We flew out to China on the 25th July. It was a tough decision to come out early because it meant I would be away for a whole month but now I am sure that it was the best choice. It has allowed me to recover easily from the jet lag and I have been in a focused environment for three weeks where gym and on water training has been structured and controlled for my benefit. Coming out early has meant that we trained when the tide was on its ebb, as it will be during the actual races which have a big effect on race strategy. I have had great nutritional advice that has allowed me to drop 2.5 kilos off my body weight in preparation for light winds. I have also tested some new equipment so I am confident that I can sail fast. I can also draw confidence from my regatta win against a world-class fleet of women in Hyeres, France back in April where we mainly had light winds so fingers crossed!

Part of the reason the British Sailing Team are so successful is due to their event preparation and team support. The main thing that I have noticed is this confidence in our preparation and our experience as an Olympic team which has allowed us to set aside important down time. We have what is known as a “holding camp” where the whole team goes away from their training routines and boat work and gets a chance for a two-day holiday. So a few days ago I got back from the team building trip to Shanghai where we went track racing, played golf round the PGA course for the Shanghai Open, we saw Cirque de Soleil and the girls had spa treatments in this huge five star hotel. I felt like I was really treated to the high life. Racing now starts in a couple of days and I feel pretty ready. Look out for my next column where I will let you know how we all got on…

Bryony is sponsored by: UK Sport, Skandia Team GBR, Lynx Sports Management, Fat Face clothing and Kaenon sunglasses.

Bryony

For more of Bryony: www.bryonyshaw.com

To follow the Pre-Olympics: www.sailing2008.org