Lily on Vixen Racing: Real speed, real learning, no comfort

Lijia Xu, known as Lily, joined Vixen Racing for Bay of Islands Sailing Week and offshore training. Below is Lily’s honest take on her Vixen Racing experience.

“I wanted to learn offshore and keelboat racing properly. Sharon taught me patiently, from every rope to every sail function, and she gave me real opportunities to practise my bow work and in the pit. That experience boosted my confidence for future racing.”

Q: In one sentence, why should a serious sailor book a berth on Vixen?

Lily:
Vixen is a real racing boat, unlike many other boats or training programmes that are cruisers or cruiser racers. Very few let sailors train on a real racing boat. It is fast and furious in the right conditions, and you need to prepare for very fast speed and very rough conditions if there is a big swell. There is no comfort in a sports boat like this, unlike a racer cruiser. It has a simple bunk, so you need to be prepared for that. But it gives the best opportunity to get to know a racing boat and prepare for competition in the future.

Q: Tell me about one moment that made you think, yes, this is the real deal.

Lily:
On the first day of our offshore training, the average wind speed was 30 to 35 knots, gusting to nearly 40, and our speed occasionally reaching 20 knots, averaging 15 to 18 knots. Vixen was so fast. It was like driving a Formula 1 car. That was the moment I thought, wow, Vixen and this Class 40 is really something.

When I was down below, one moment I was thrown to the leeward side of the boat and got some bruises. So in rough conditions, you always need to hold tight somewhere, whenever you move or even when sitting. Good lesson learned, and it was not even extreme conditions.

Q: What is the biggest change in your confidence or capability since sailing with Vixen?

Lily:
With both the inshore racing at Bay of Islands Sailing Week and the offshore training, I got the opportunity to run to the front of the bow to do bow work, which I have always dreamed of doing. Normally, because I have very little experience on the bow, people would not let me touch it.
The same for the pit, it is like the core of the boat. They only let very experienced people control that. Sharon taught me very patiently about every single rope, each sail, each part of the boat, what it is attached to, and what the function is. So I got a real opportunity to practise as a bow woman, and also opening and closing all the clutches. That was a real confidence boost for my future sailing.

Q: Who is this for, and who should not do it?

Lily:
If you are aiming for competitive racing, whether inshore or offshore, Vixen programmes offer this. It is a racing boat, and we have the most experienced, patient, friendly, enthusiastic skipper in the world in Sharon, to teach us and equip us with the skills needed for the future. I really appreciated this opportunity and found it so beneficial to have this experience.

Q: Who should not do it?

Lily:
If you are just looking to do cruising, or you are a beginner, Vixen is not your best choice at this time. Make sure you know the basics, and you have experience both onshore and offshore. Vixen will help you upgrade and get ready for serious racing.

Q: How would you sum up the value you have got from your Vixen Racing experience?

Lily:
Vixen is a “luxury boat” for an inshore and offshore racing sailor whose goal is competitive racing in the future. I say luxury because we are training on a real racing machine, and they have the best equipment, and the sails are first class. It is well worth the money. I do not know anywhere else in the world I can train on such a great boat that is fully equipped for racing.

Q: If someone is worried it is too intense, what would you tell them?

Lily:
If you try to do bow work around the mast, it can be quite intense in rough conditions. If you want a gentler experience, you can spend more time as helm, pit, or trimmer, which is less physical and less violent in rough conditions.
In the bow, you are being thrown on and off the waves, and you get soaked very quickly. Back in the cockpit, you still get soaked in big waves and strong wind, but it is much less intense than the front of the boat.
You can tell Sharon what area you want to work on, and she will accommodate that. Before each training session, Sharon always asked me, “What are you looking for today?”, and she then customised that day’s racing or training to fit our goals.

Q: What one thing should people do to prepare so they get the most out of it?

Lily:
Search around the website. There are plenty of resources online to help you get equipped before coming onto the boat. There is information about the type of boat, and the news tab helps you get familiar with what Vixen Racing has been doing so far.
By investing some time upfront, you can make the most of your experience and start by asking targeted questions rather than spending time familiarising yourself with the basics of the boat.

Editor note: the Vixen Racing website is vixenracing.com.au

Q: If someone is worried they are not good enough, what would you tell them?

Lily:
Even though I am an Olympic champion, I was also worried about that. Vixen and Sharon are so far the best boat, the best skipper, the best coach or teacher I have ever met or experienced. Vixen Racing really is the best of all the boats, all the people, all the skippers I have experienced so far.
So, I would say do not worry. Sharon is the person you can trust, and you will enjoy sailing with her. You can ask her any questions. She is the most patient, hardworking, and caring skipper I have ever met. I assure you, you are on the right boat with the right people.