DEC 2022

First Worlds, new beginnings

Hello everyone,

As 2022 comes to an end, I find myself writing my very first newsletter. This has been a challenging year, but one filled with long awaited moments. Many of you have been a big part of my progression over the seasons, so I'm thrilled to finally share some of these stories, memories, and results with you.

The year in short

The year started like it did for most of you, with a two month lockdown. I kept my head up, and when it ended I was finally able to sail again in Florida at the Midwinters East regatta. As the lake unfroze back home, the Montréal season began and I got to work on my weakest skills: downwind and reaching.

Summer brought the regattas. I won the local events, but internationally I met a new challenge: my level dropped at moments of peak pressure, and my results at the North Americans and US Nationals fell short of my goals. With that disappointment fueling me, I doubled down on my preparation for the World Championship.

My first World Championship, Vilamoura

My Worlds build up was a two week camp in Valencia followed by a pre-worlds camp in Vilamoura, and it paid off: I arrived ready, mentally and physically. This was one of my most long awaited moments, having missed two Optimist Worlds to the lockdowns. I sailed my best but missed the gold fleet by 2 points. Still, I left Vilamoura with more than I came with, and with a new life set up in Portugal, I was hungry for what came next.

A strong finish

After two months of training in my new home base, I won the Portuguese national championship as a Canadian sailor, my second win back to back. I felt on top of the world, which changed quickly at the 46th Christmas Race in Palamós, Spain: good sailing, but some critical tactical mistakes left me 6th overall. A fair first comparison against the European fleet, and plenty to work on.

What's ahead in 2023

A big training block, the ILCA 6 ISAF Youth Worlds qualifier in St. Petersburg, Florida, then another block building toward the ILCA 4 European Championship in Cádiz, Spain.

Thank you for reading my first newsletter. I wish you all the best for the new year, and I look forward to seeing you in 2023.

— Carlos