My first event of the season was the Portuguese Grand Prix in Vilamoura, Portugal, from February 19th to 22nd. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with the international fleet after eight months and ease back into the rhythm of competition. Jumping back into large-fleet racing was definitely an adjustment, but I found it exhilarating to be back in that environment.
Throughout the event, we faced mostly lighter conditions, with no races on the second day. Big swells and strong currents kept things interesting, adding an extra challenge to decision-making on the course. I had some struggles identifying the favoured side on upwinds, which led to mixed results, but in the one qualifying race where I nailed both the start and the strategy, I rounded the top mark in 1st place and finished 6th. That moment was a great confidence boost, reminding me that I can be right up there with the best in this fleet.
On the final Saturday, we finally had a chance to hike properly, though only for one race, as massive shifts made things tricky for the race committee. I wrapped up the event in 55th place—not the result I was aiming for, but this regatta served its purpose. It was a chance to “rip the bandaid off,” get back into big-fleet mode, and identify key areas to refine. Now, I’m looking forward to getting back to work in Malta, applying these learnings, and preparing for the first big event of the season: Princess Sofia, or “Palma.”