Well it wasn’t the greatest month leading into my first International race of the year, so I was not expecting any fireworks! After landing in Spain on Saturday morning at 2:00am, we checked into the Hotel and got some much needed sleep. I went down to the race venue later on Saturday morning to get my boat and set it up. Thanks Rui for sorting a boat out for me and to Boyan for helping me get it all set up…….it’s so easy and quick when you know how 🙂

Some wind did pick up on Saturday and it was slightly overcast, the same was forecast for Sunday – Race Day – but unfortunately as usual the wind dropped and the clouds cleared! So it was quite hot and not much wind at all.

It was going to be a slog as I had not done as much training as I had hoped for leading into the race. The start was fast and chaotic, which is always a great crowd pleaser. This year there were two hotspots for the guys to chase so the course was slightly changed and we did a triangle bringing us back to the start before we headed out to Benidorm Island. This again was great for the spectators, with a perfect view from the beach of all the top guys racing for the Hotspot.

In the mens race Sean Rice had a cracking race, taking both Hotspots and taking the title. He has crept up from the first Eurochallenge and now it all came together for him. So well done Sean!! He was closely followed by Dawid Mocke and then Hank McGregor in 3rd.

In my race at about 10km there were a few bumps that came from nowhere, think it was just boat wake as they didn’t last long. Making use of every run it brought almost in line with Tarryn Brown, who was on a closer line to the shore than myself. Once those runs dried up I could not close that final gap between us. After 15km-17km I started to feel the pain, my juice had leaked out (error that won’t be repeated!), I knew I would have to work hard to make sure the gap didn’t get any bigger. But Tarryn Brown had a great race and I could just not catch her. So Tarryn took the ladies title, with myself in 2nd and Angie Mouden from France took the final podium position.

After the prize giving we had a big Paella…when I say big it was big, it was 2mx2m dish! With beer and wine.

Thanks to Vio and all at Club Nautico La Villajoyosa, what a great event!!

The one thing we could not miss was a trip to the Valor Chocolate shop, so later that evening we went there for a very rich dessert. Chocolate with Churros, see the picture below – yummy!!

Thanks to everyone for all your support on and off the water.