More than twenty boats took part in the joint training for Fevas and 29ers aimed at consolidating the development pathway of these double-handed asymmetrics at Draycote. The event catered for a range of abilities from those just starting out in the boats to those in the national development squads. The temperature barely got above freezing point, feeling colder in the fresh south-westerly that gusted up on Saturday afternoon and in the north-easterly on the Sunday. 
 Steve Irish led the coaching on Saturday, assisted by Phil Walker and Andrew Weeden - the theme for the day being ‘Heel and Feel’ with an emphasis on boat handling. The day’s activities included intensive short upwind/downwind sessions, a ‘vicious V’ exercise and a twenty five minute pursuit race where conditions favoured the 29ers and they showed their experience to take full advantage. The day was wound-up with a combined video de-brief and discussion covering both classes including GPS tracking of the afternoons activities played out on the big screen.

Sunday was short race day with 3 back-to-back in the morning, closely fought out within each class, with places being traded regularly and providing the chance to put the previous day’s coaching points into practice. After lunch the Fevas opted for some team racing practice while the 29ers went for more races on a shorter track with more laps, increasing the intensity and the work rate.
Chris Morris, a Feva parent commented that the week-end was useful because the coaches offered new perspectives and ideas on boat handling under pressure and for training in general. Ben Gratton, who has sailed Fevas and 420’s said Steve’s coaching sessions combined with plenty of racing had made for a good week-end. George Hand, who sails 29ers commented how it was good to train with new people not in the squad system and that the format of training on the first day with racing on Sunday worked well. Ian Payne who has only been sailing the 29er for a few months rated the intensive races and short training exercises. Rob Loveridge, from Draycote enjoyed working alongside and racing with the 29er’s under pressure.