THIS week, we had a couple of other boats to sail with so spent our time trying to find gaps between the gales to get out on the water.

As we often say, sailing with other boats is really important and makes training sessions much more productive.

We have been able to do some short-course racing, which tests our starting and boat handling.

Everything is much more difficult when you put yourselves under pressure so it shows which areas you have nailed and what you still need to work on.

We have also ventured out into the waves of Weymouth Bay recently as the conditions are much more like the ones we experience at most events.

Portland Harbour is too perfect a lot of the time so, while it is a lovely place to sail, it sometimes isn’t challenging enough.

The waves add a whole new dimension to sailing, particularly this week.

We have had a couple of sails where the wind has been going in the opposite direction to the waves, which seems to result in the boat leaping straight up in the air.

Slightly unnerving at times but quite entertaining.

We are having a week or so off from sailing over Christmas, which will be a nice break and hopefully the relatively mild temperatures will continue for a while longer, otherwise January and February will be a test of willpower to get ourselves out there.