I have recently embarked on my three-month trip to Europe to continue training and competing against the international fleet. I have begun this trip by spending three weeks in Vilamoura in preparation for the Portugal Grand Prix, my first ever open international event.

The first two weeks included intense trainings both on and off the water, including the most difficult hiking bench sessions I have ever done.

Thankfully, these hiking sessions were offset by eating my fair share of crepes and all-you-can-eat sushi.

The Portugal Grand Prix had a smaller fleet than usual because the Senior ILCA European Championships were on at the same time. However, there was still strong competition at the front of the fleet, Hannah Snellgrove who was just selected to represent GBR at the 2024 Olympics, Line Flem Hoest who finished in 8^th place at the Tokyo Olympics representing NOR, Sarah Douglas who finished in 6^th place at the Tokyo Olympics representing CAN, Monika Mikkola who has qualified to represent FIN at the 2024 Olympics, and Josefin Olsson who has competed at the last three Olympic games for SWE with a top result of 2^nd at Tokyo. These women asserted their dominance over the fleet for the duration of the event.

This was a four-day regatta with three days of 15+ knots and one day with a light and variable 3-10 knots. With three races scheduled per day, it was a test of skill and endurance for all sailors.

This regatta was a great debut into the open international fleet, where I was able to test myself against some of the best in the world. I was stoked to manage some races competing against the top of the fleet, including my highlight result of 5^th in the second last race of the regatta, where I managed to beat Josefin Olsson.

I am now on my way to Germany for a week off to spend with family friends, but then I will be heading to Palma to begin my next training camp and compete at the Spain Europa Cup, U21 Europeans and Princess Sofia regattas.

Thank you to my coaches Mitch Kennedy and Annie Eastgate from the Queensland Academy of Sport, Adrian Finglas from RQYS for helping prepare me for this trip, and to Eshed Meseritz who has been supporting me in Europe.

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Photo credit: Prow Media

By Frances Beebe