The day after graduation it was back to the day job, training down in Weymouth. July was a great month of getting back into gym and sailing training, in preparation for a big second half of the summer. At the end of July we headed out to Brazil for our first Rio experience.

Never have I ever been in a city that is so full of life and colour as Rio de Janiero. What an incredible place. We spent a busy couple of weeks training out in the harbour and the bay. We had a great mix of conditions; many days in a good 8-12kt breeze along with a couple of very light breeze days and a couple of fantastic days training out in the bay in 15kts and 4 metre waves. The biggest waves I have ever seen! You get an odd rebound set of waves off the mountains, too, which makes it feel very washing-machine-like!

On our last night Hugh, Ali and I walked up one of the highest mountains on the coast near to our house. It was pretty steep but totally worth the effort. Check out the breathtaking sunset photos! Sad to leave, but excited about the next couple of months – Dublin, Ireland for the Europeans, Santander, Spain for the 2014 Worlds Test Event, then Rizhao, China for the Worlds. Exciting times!! Brazil, it’s been a blast. See you again soon!