London Olympics: Sassi says hats off for the Nothe

Hi Guys!

Sassi's been loving it down here on the Nothe! Ok, still can't get my head about all these sailing rules but who cares when the sun's out, the beer's cold and there's Rihanna playing loud.

Big thumbs up to the announcers for making the atmosphere totally Glasto gig-like. Special mention to Hannah for her "I'll stick with boys" comment (*) just beating her colleague's "we all like a bit of roll-play" (**)

After this week's thrills I'm really getting into water sports, so just measure me up for neoprene and I'll be out there!

OMG, the Olympics - missing you already!!

Luv ya!

Sassi xxx


(*) Ed: er, Sassi, in the context of a discussion about the pronunciation of the word "buoy"

(**) Ed: in the context of preparations for match racing.

London Olympics: Buff loses his shirts

G'day all! Buff Staysail here! Buff by name and Buff by nature!

It's not been the best of days down here on the Nothe in Weymouth.

Even a sailing journo legend like your truly has his work cut out when the wind fails to arrive. Given it was going to be a washout news-wise, I felt JP wouldn't mind if I switched to the hat with CEO Buff Enterprises on its rim.

See I'd come prepared! Here was thousands upon thousands of the world's greatest sailing fans, all looking for the perfect souvenir and what could be better than a "Olympics 2012 - its pure B.S." t-shirt!!

I found a space down by the Weymouth water front and laid out my stall and waited for the rush.

Business was a bit slow at first so I decided to up the game. Given I didn't want the sailing ticket anyhow I offered it as the prize in a lotto draw open to all purchasers of any of the "Total B.S. Weymouth 2012" range of products.

The crowds were just forming when I was man handled by two men in dark suits with matching shades. I could just make out the letters LOCOG engraved on their sunglasses arms.

They confiscated half my stock (surely that's theft? - anyhow no worries, got the other half safe in my B&B) plus my remaining ticket, which was painful as I'd super-glued it to my arm to stop JP pulling rank on me.

So JP it's up to you. Can you put an advert up so lucky punters can get their hands on EXCLUSIVE Buff Staysail Olympics t-shirts?

This is Buff Staysail, bruised but optimistic, over and out.

JP: I was of course going to help ol' Buff but just as I was about to publish a post there was a knock on the door and two polite gentlemen in matching dark suits and shades (and yes, Buff was right, you could just make out LOCOG engraved on the glasses's arms) who advised me that it wasn't in my best interest to do so.

It's a warm evening here in London but let me tell you a shiver went down my spine so alas Buff you're on your own on this one.

London Olympics: Match Racing Photos

Some more photos, this time of the Eliot 6m match racing, also from yesterday's races off the Nothe in Weymouth.

It was always very close - in fact in the pic above there are actually four boats.

London Olympics: Windsurfing Photos

 Couple of pics taken yesterday, Tuesday 7th August, down at Weymouth.

London Olympics: Tom Slingsby's Gold

Here's Australia's Tom Slingsby, officially the best Laser sailor in the world with his Olympic Gold Medal, being interviewed on Weymouth's Nothe Fort earlier today.

Alas I wasn't able to ask him Tillerman's question about pigeon-toed hiking, but I managed to put it to our favourite commentator, offshore sailor Hannah White (below, with Tom).

Her suggestion was that having feet go in different directions balances out the twist which is good news for the spine - or, of course, it could just be personal preference.

I am not a Laser sailor, I do not know.

London Olympics: Team GB Rowing Medal winners go to Beach Volleyball

After the beach volleyball had finished Sunday evening there was a great cheer as some of Team GB's rowing medal winners came onto the sand.

Cue.... "Team GB! Team GB!! Team GB!!!"

London Olympics: Team JP @ Beach Volleyball

As a break from sailing Team JP went off to see the beach volleyball in Horse Guards Parade. So what did we make of it? JP's reactions first then we'll pass over to Sassi then Buff.

JP: It felt a bit like baby sitting a hyperactive kid on a sugar rush. Whereas sailing you see them round a mark and then can relax for a bit while they make their way downwind / upwind (delete as applicable) with beach volleyball you can never relax.

In fact you barely have a free moment to watch the actual game.

There's music (snatches of), after a Mexican trumpet you're meant to do something (shout, wave hands, forget which), another sound you'd have to do that milking the cow action, there were Mexican waves, stand thumping, dancers, flashing score boards, squeaking announcer, flag waving, cries of "U! S! A!" or "Italia!" depending upon allegiances (and if you don't the announcer will prompt you with a "U! S!" or "Ita!" and expect you to complete it).....

And then, blink, its over.

Of course not a bad way to spend a summer's evening in the centre of London as the view is great, overlooked by the imperial era Foreign Office:

Anyway, Sassi, what did you think:

Sassi: It was fan-tast-ic!! It was go-go-go, beaches, costumes, Rihanna, Arctic Monkeys, we were dancing like Mike Jagger, there was even Kylie and Eurythmics sweet dreams for the oldies.

And the game was fast, full of girl power! No need to remember obscure rules, easy to see who won - USA! Woo hoo!!

Ok, fair enough, so Buff, your reaction:

Buff Staysail: ......

Er? You ok Buff?

Buff Staysail: .....

Sorry, Buff's eyes are glazed and he seems lost for words: maybe that's for the best.

Anyway an enjoyable evening at the London Olympics but needs to take a chill pill or two if you ask me.

London Olympics: Ticket Frenzy

Every evening in London there's a fever of excitement as a small number of additional Olympic tickets are suddenly released, unannounced.

The whisper goes round, phone calls are made, texts sent - go online now to get your tickets. In the feeding frenzy you have to apply quickly - you snooze, you loose, and the web site's irritating waiting time eats away at nerves.

Of course you know what my first, second and third choices were last night for a ticket for today, but it wasn't to be. While checking with a friend suffering with 'flu the few remaining places for sailing were snapped up.

I tried again to find something else for but athletics, cycling, kayaking, rowing and tennis were all gone.

So I'm off to the beach volleyball - ah well, mustn't grumble.

London Olympics: Ben's golden race

First, Jonas, I'm so sorry, but golly what an afternoon!

There are events you can watch sitting down. There are events you stand in front of the TV. Then there are events like this afternoon's sailing you can't stand still, the tension is so high you're pacing from side to side.

Ben did it after all.

London Olympics: Following the Sailing Online

I remember sitting on the grassy slopes of the Nothe on Friday. In front of me the 49ers were flying across the water, drawing a streaky white line of spray.

But my attention was diverted, as there were others battling courses further out on the waters of Weymouth.

I could follow one on the large screen which showed Big Ben fighting the Great Dane, but what about the Star or Laser Radial classes?

For them it was the iPad (above), using the excellent Olympics results application to track the standings at each mark.

The Navionics app on the iPhone meanwhile was being used to check the tidal flows.

Finally the iThings were also doing Facebook updates and saying hello to those who were watching the streamed video.

Phew! Information overload! Just about found time to take a few photos.

So even if you don't have a ticket for the sailing there are other ways of following the action, and the best option is to watch it "live" on TV.

Good luck to Ben Ainslie, Ian Percy and Bart Simpson!

London Olympics: Lasers and 49ers

Some photos from yesterday's racing off the Nothe Forte in Weymouth.

London Olympics: Taiwanese Elvis

In response to Tillerman's spotting of Elvis

London Olympics: Seb and Hannah

Another great day of sun, sea and sailing at the Nothe down in Weymouth.

Big result for Big Ben of course, in striking distance of the Great Dane, and also for the UK in the Star, men's 470 and women's 470 fleets. Middling for Alison Young in the Laser Radials and bit of a washout for the 49ers.

A high spot was arrival of London Olympics head Lord Seb Coe, here with Hannah White who as well as being a great offshore racer has been entertaining us with her sailing commentary.

London Olympics: Ian Walker and the sailing family

When down at the Nothe on Monday I found myself sitting in rather a hot spot.

It was during the Elliot match racing, in the last set of races of the day, in which Team GB was up against the Australians.

To my left was relatives of the home team, namely the Macgregor family, while to my right was an enthusiastic group from down under, namely the Price family.

But always the atmosphere on the grassy knoll has had the feel of a family friendly fiesta.

There are representatives from all sailing countries and they've brought with them their supporters, friends and family from all over the world.

You can guess who these support:

Of course there is a huge home crowd, flags at the ready for any opportunity, such as this interview with the Macgregor family, surrounded by friendly group of beaming children:

Towards the end of the day Olympic, America's Cup and Volvo sailor Ian Walker came over to the Macgregor family to wish them luck (top): it was a nice touch.

But there are plenty of nice touches here. Though of course I support Team GB you have to admire the likes of Denmark's Jonas Hogh-Christensen and Ireland's Annalise Murphy, and I'm not alone.

There's a great Olympic spirit here; it really is possible to just enjoy the sight of the world's best sailors showing us how it should be done, beautifully.

London Olympics: Buff's Love Boat

G'day all! Buff Staysail here! Buff by name and Buff by nature!

I'm telling you that`s not what I said!

It all started when I discovered I didn't have a press pass. Jeez, how can a top sailing journo such as yours truly, with his own America's Cup TV show, not have a press pass?

Ok, as JP pointed out, I was in good company, what with that Elaine Bunting being in a similar position (must look her up while I'm in Weymouth) but must admit ol' Buff was getting restless in front of that giant screen, even though there was some good stuff about how Alison Young is very fit.

So I did what Buff does best, heading out into Weymouth to sniff out a story. First of course was to discover which pub was best (so I could let Ben know) and what brew could I recommend, and let me tell you that Doom Bar beer is a taste that Buff is warming to!

It was after a pint or two in, well might have been the fifth pub or something, when I had the sort of brainwave that Buff is well known for. Why wait for a press pass? Why not just head out to the sailing and do the interviews on the water?

And there was a vessel to hand, as on the shore front there were pedalos for rent. So sizing the hour I was out there in a flash, full of enthusiasm!

On the way out I did have the odd moment of doubt.

It was a long way to the race course and Buff's a sailor not a sitting down type like the poms. The weather wasn't great, wind, current and waves against me, but I kept my head down and pedalled away.

What kept me warm despite the chilly air was the thought of my pedalo as my studio / interview room. The 2nd seat would soon be filled by a whole range of sailing greats: Alison Young, the Macgregor sisters, Annie Lush, Hannah Mills... and not just Brits, Olivia Price from the lucky country, Anna Tunnicliffe from America...

All of sudden there was this shouting and in front of me there was an entire fleet racing away! I'd made it!

Unfortunately at that point I was intercepted by two police jet skis who asked me what I was up to.

I explained I was a journalist out to interview the athletes to ask them about their fitness campaigns - or at least that's what I would have said.

Alas due to the struggle out there and the chill (and nothing to do with Doom Bar) it might not have come out that clearly, though any suggestions that I said that this was my love boat for the fit sailing girls is clearly nonsense.

Back on land good ol' Sassi confirmed I was on JP's Olympic Coverage Team (Ed: you said what?????) and after signing a declaration not to go on the water during the Olympics was free to go.

It was all a stupid mistake, but makes me sad as the idea of a pedalo as a mobile interview platform still sounds like gold.

Ah well, this is Buff Staysail, over and out!

London Olympics: Lovely Weymouth

Weymouth is one of those hidden gems, locked in a past of old fashioned seaside holidays involving sandcastles on the beach followed by fish and chips.

It has a promenade where there are fortune tellers plus Punch and Judy puppet shows:

Behind the beach are some unspoilt old streets, naturally currently completely covered with Olympic / Team GB bunting:

Pretty much every other shop will sell you clotted cream fudge or bucket and spades, just right for the family holiday.

I remember sailing here some years ago and we'd had a bad night and longed for a real coffee and hunted and hunted and hunted for something that didn't come out of a jar without success. However I'd have thought by now that lapse has been rectified but will check out next time I'm down.

At the heart is the harbour where you'll see the yachts moored up, usually in summer rafted out three or four deep:

I remember we sat on the boat debating which of these pretty houses we liked the best: it was one of those discussions where the answer doesn't matter but the conversation does.

Well worth spending some time exploring this lovely and historic West Country town.

London Olympics: Sassi's spooky tips for Ben

Hi Guys!

Hello from Weymouth! Sassi's been watching the sailing and doesn't it go on and on and on! And our man Ben Ainslie isn't, like, scoring or anything - what's up there?

As today the Finn class is "on a break" (as Ross would put it) so there was time to get some expert advice and who better than fortune teller Zara (above) on the Weymouth sea front.

Having crossed her palm with silver I asked her the key question: how can I help Ben perform (if you know what I mean)?

Zara went into a mystical trance, swaying from side to side (a bit like techno night at Fabric) then she spoke in this weird voice.

"Beware a moon that is full!"

I defo got a chill at that.

"The man that sails must remember that time and tide wait for no one. Offshore with the tide, inshore against, search ever for back eddies!"

Didn't really get that, so I asked "you what?"

Then her eyes rolled back to normal and she said that'd be extra. As if!

So I left with those pearls of wisdom, whatever they mean.

Oops, gotta go, text from Buff saying he's been arrested - doh!

Luv ya

Sassi xxx