At the Starting Line — Palma de Mallorca

Welcome to the Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofía | Leg 1 of the Sailing Grand Slam

I made it to Palma! Long travel day, a little jet lag, and now standing on the edge of the biggest regatta of this campaign so far.

This is where it gets real.

The fleet here is stacked—46 of the top 50, 80 of the top 100 ILCA 6 sailors in the world. 140 boats on the line. Olympic-level density without the Olympic rings.

This is why I came. If I want to understand where I stand—and more importantly, where I need to go—this is the measuring stick.

And I’ll be honest… pulling into the venue, it hit me.

Coach boats everywhere. National team kits. Full support crews—rigging, tuning, logistics dialed. It’s a different world. For a moment, I felt it. That flicker of, am I under-resourced for this level?

But here’s the thing—I didn’t come here because it’s comfortable. I came because it’s not.

Because this is where growth actually happens. Because this is what the path to LA28 looks like. And because I know exactly what I’m capable of building into.

Now the forecast…

We’re looking at 20–35 knots this weekend, then sustained high-teens to 20+ for the week, when the races start. Big breeze. Big test. Which, honestly, feels fitting.

Four months ago I couldn’t lie flat after surgery. Now I’m here, about to line up in one of the deepest fleets in the world.

This week is about more than scores. It’s about showing up in this arena and learning how to belong here again. I’ll take you along on the adventure.

Me at the sailing venue and would you just look at all these coach boats! Also, brr! It’s like 55º.

And truly—thank you—for the messages, the support, the belief. You’re a bigger part of this than you probably realize.

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