(machine translated in 2023) WWT Training with Pieter Bijl
another WWT was planned for today. They had found Pieter Bijl willing to train/train with us/give tip. Pieter is head tester with Neil Pryde and one of the 3 Dutchmen who sail in the PWA slalom (highest level possible). Pieter knows better than anyone how a good slalom sail works and has a lot of sailing experience. So it was very nice that he would be there.
Also present was Casper Bouwman, former world champion RS-X and now a top performer in Formula.

We were expected at 8:45.
The first hour we went through a piece of theory in which Pieter always gave his vision on things and we were allowed to ask him extensively.

Then we quickly rigged up and went out on the water. We would sail with small groups of 8s and then sail for 10 minutes, to the shore, trim something, and then back on the water to tune your stuff better and better. Unfortunately, we soon had to stop because the wind completely disappeared, and it started to rain.
Alternatively, Pieter Bijl (but also Nikaj Droop and Casper) checked and trimmed a number of the participants' sails. They started with Hans' HOT-Sails GPS, not the most standard design. Pieter quickly managed to find a few points that had been bothering Hans for some time and immediately suggested solutions. Hans immediately started filing Cambers. I had Nikaj look at my RAM F8 8.4. I had already put the trim right when I first had it, but yes, new sail, slightly stretch. Nikaj has tightened the lower slats considerably, boom shorter. Nikaj always sails his boom a lot shorter than I do. That delivers much more power and therefore speed. I personally don't really like sailing, but will have to get used to it if I want to be faster on the water.

After lunch the wind was fortunately back and we could go sailing again.
We were going to practice starts and a short downwind slalom. Because the group of top riders was so large, I went into the Silverfleet, together with Hans.

My goal for today was mainly to practice on starts from open water, if I can wait in shallow water for the right time to start I can start pretty well, but if the start is in deep water it still doesn't work. Practiced today by always not standing in the shallows, but standing on the shelf well in advance and then estimating a bit myself how long I would need. Sometimes things went badly, but slowly things got better.

Wind increased more and more so I was finally able to sail with my iSonic, but the wind then subsided again and then I had to use the GT85 again.

We continued until 18:00. I was really dead on it. Quickly clean up and go home.
It was really a great day of training, unfortunately in the morning hardly any wind and a lot of rain, but Pieter's trim tips were super educational and in the afternoon I was able to practice my starts. I'm ready for tomorrow.

Kabbelaarsbank

Present: Hans (Hansie)

10:30 0.25 hour Wind: SW
Board: AHD GT 85 - Deboichet R10 M+ 56cm
Sail: North RAM F9 8.4 - North Platinum(11) 490cm - AL360 E3 Carbon 210-270
  (machine translated in 2023) Wind was very light, in the gusts it was good, but outside bobbing and difficult height walking with the 56cm fin.
10:45 0.25 hour Wind: SW
Board: AHD GT 85 - Drake R13 Race 60cm
Sail: North RAM F9 8.4 - North Platinum(11) 490cm - AL360 E3 Carbon 210-270
  (machine translated in 2023) With the 60cm it actually didn't go yet, just too little wind.
13:30 1.5 hour Wind: SW
Board: AHD GT 85 - Drake R13 Race 60cm
Sail: North RAM F9 8.4 - North Platinum(11) 490cm - AL360 E3 Carbon 210-270
  (machine translated in 2023) Set ran nicely again. In the beginning the 60cm was definitely needed, later the wind increased a bit and 56cm could certainly have been.
15:15 1 hour Wind: SW
Board: Starboard iSonic 111 - C3 Venom v2 40cm
Sail: North RAM F9 7.3 - North Platinum(09) 460cm - Neil Pryde X9 180-230
  (machine translated in 2023) Usually it ran very well, speed clearly better than with the GT85, but planting after a gybe and by planing a little less. Especially at the 2nd buoy the wind was still light and I sometimes fell silent.
16:30 0.75 hour Wind: SW
Board: AHD GT 85 - Deboichet R10 M+ 56cm
Sail: North RAM F9 8.4 - North Platinum(11) 490cm - AL360 E3 Carbon 210-270
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