As we enter the brave new world of 2012 it seems fitting to look back at 2011 and the amazing adventures I have been fortunate enough to be involved with over the last 12 months.

Early in the New Year I was lucky enough to be based in the Caribbean for 3 months with various work out there. Initially helping out ‘Concise 2’ prepare for the Caribbean 600 before moving onto another Class 40 ‘Orca’ to deliver her back across the Atlantic from Antigua to the Azores with Richard Tolkien who had just finished the Route du Rhum in late 2010.

My transatlantic on Orca

It was to be my first transatlantic crossing and I was massively excited to be back at sea, double handed, crossing the Atlantic for the first time, although saying that it didn’t quite go to plan! I then had a few short days at home before heading back out to the Caribbean to deliver ‘Concise 2’ from Antigua to Newport Rhode Island ready for the Transatlantic Race 2011.

On the delivery to Newport with Concise we stopped off in Bermuda for 3 days to take shelter from a big storm which was about to engulf us. With a load of super yachts and other boats making the trip north after the end of the Caribbean season, Bermuda was a hive of activity and we had a great unexpected 3 days to have a look around. We arrived to a rainy and dreary Rhode Island, but no time to look around here unfortunately. After a quick check-in with the officials on the dock we had to get straight in a taxi to Boston airport to catch our flights back to the UK, with our stop in Bermuda we only just made it.

By now I had managed to fill the quiet winter period, and the UK summer sailing season was upon us. A full J80 programme with Team Baltic and some unscheduled sailing with Artemis in the Figaro meant I was based on the Isle of Wight for the majority of the summer which was fantastic. The Isle of Wight hosts sailing event after sailing event in the summer, meaning there is a constant buzz around the place.

Racing at the Figaro Nationals

After sailing with Artemis Offshore Academy squad member Nick Cherry during the winter on Concise he must have put in a good word for me, as when a spot needed filling for the Artemis UK Figaro Nationals my name was put forward which I jumped at. Afterwards, some shore based work came my way, working on the Figaro’s throughout the summer as well as doing some corporate skippering. The next thing I knew I was offered the opportunity to do the Fastnet double-handed with the funding of Artemis in one of their Figaro’s.

With the Figaro and gaining selection for the Academy being my primary focus for the year I couldn’t have been more fortunate and so once again I went at it with all my energy and enthusiasm.

Throughout this season I have managed to get in a wide variety of sailing which was definitely the aim at the beginning of the year. From long offshore deliveries, to the J80 programme, crewing on small keelboats like the Dragon at the Edinburgh Cup, IRC racing in RORC races, to the late doors double-handed Fastnet campaign with Artemis.

Ben Ainslie presenting me a trophy for winning the Sportsboat Division at Darmouth Week

It meant for the selection trials this year I was feeling a lot more confident in my own ability as I felt I had developed so much since last year. I now, also, had got some time on the water in Figaro’s, and most importantly, done so in a race environment, which proved to be invaluable.

It meant that after a tough selection process I was fortunate enough to gain selection as a full time squad member with Ollie Bond and Aaron Cooper, joining Sam Goodchild and Nick Cherry current squad members from last year.

It rounded off the year perfectly for me, and I have really enjoyed being based in La Grande Motte the last few months pre-Christmas. It is the first time I have been part of a programme which has allowed me to train full time which is really exciting.

Looking forward to 2012, I have Artemis funding to compete in 4 of the smaller races on the Figaro circuit next year which is what I am training hard for at the moment. It’s set to be another packed out year with a busy J80 programme as we build up to the J80 World Championships being held in Dartmouth, and as much other sailing as I can squeeze in around it! Bring it on 2012!