The first RYA/ Holt National Ranking Regatta 2003 was hosted by Queen Mary sailing Club in Stains. 15 Europes competed in tricky winds that varied in strength and direction. The sunshine and clear blue skies made it nice for competitors, organizers and spectators alike.

The nerves were high! This was a big test to see how I would measure up against the other British Europe sailors. We have been training apart all winter and I was hoping that my hard work would pay off.

Both my parents came with me to give their support. That was really appreciated. We arrived early and I rigged quickly and went to enter. Upon registration we were given the local sailing instructions, the RYA sailing instructions, amendments to the sailing instructions and a four page booklet on the new ISAF Rule 42 code that had been re-written the weekend before.

I sat with a cup of tea and read through all the information, trying to digest it. The next couple of hours were spent waiting for the wind and catching up with all my friends that I hadn't seen for six months.

The news on the Europe Class was that Bryony Percy was no longer sailing and that Debbie Winstanley, the current UK number one was injured badly and can't sail again until June. There are a few new faces that are sailing full time including Sarah Webb who is an ex 470 campaigner.

Now there are eight sailors competing for one place at the Olympics; Andrea Brewster, Debbie Winstanley, Nikki Muller, Kirsty Bonar, Lizzie Vickers, Sarah Webb, Natalie Lloyd and me!

Race 1, the individual recall flag went up and I heard my sail number shouted out along with one other. Oh Pooh! I quickly re-crossed the line and headed over to the right of the course to the pressure feeling I was doomed already! To my joy, everyone else kept trucking on starboard, away from the pressure and I rounded the top mark 4th behind Kirsty Bonar. We both sailed over the front two sailors and stretch out a long lead. On the last run I just managed to get in front of Kirsty to win the opening race. Few!

Race 2, was tricky and I finished 4th.

Race 3, I was in 3rd place on the last downwind leg when I was yellow flagged! I felt this was really unfair and all the other sailors said they didn't think I was pushing it at all. I fell right back to 11th, which luckily became my discard. We had been warned about a tougher more black and white interpretation of the rules in the morning and thought we were being incredibly careful. The idea behind applying the new rules being that the British squads would be well prepared when it really mattered. My only problem with that was, to me, this ranking event really mattered!

John Deer from ISAF gave us a talk on Saturday night about the new ruling. This made the limitations and perimeters clearer. It seems that there are still a lot of definitions that need their perimeters deciding. What was clear though was that you really have to stay still in your boat especially in flat water and not use some of the border line techniques we may, or may not, have been coached in!

The jury were themselves learning the boundaries of these new rules. Perhaps it would have been better if they made notes and spoke to sailors in between races letting them know if they felt the sailor was pushing the border, and why. If the act was then repeated, a penalty would be fair enough. Anyway it was arguably good practice for Hyeres Regatta and we will probably be grateful then but at the time of the yellow flag (which I technically deserved) I was only worrying about the possibly of not being at Hyrees because of lost funding.

Anyway, it is important for anyone who's serious to keep abridged of what the rules are and how they are interpreted as the year progresses - its definitely a vital area to be on top of.

Day two, I was 2nd in race one, lead race two until the last downwind when the fleet turned inside out as the wind filled in from behind. I caught up to 4th and won the last race by of a leg! That put me in 1st place overall.

I am now ranked 3rd in the UK and if I win the next National Ranking Event at Hayling Island in May, I will be UK ranked number 1, at least, until October when we race against each other again. That would be very satisfying!

From this event I have qualified for the RYA/ Holt Grant for Hyeres Regatta and a pre-qualified place in the European Championships in Palma in July.

A good start to the season.

Laura Baldwin (GBR 383)

Always looking for sponsors to join my team and make my dream!

Contact Laura on; laura_383@hotmail.com