Brilliant day on the water today.
Looked a little dodgy earlier when I was out for a 30 min spin down Beach Rd today.
The day started with us heading out on time and getting in 3 races back to back. The breeze was a light seabreeze but it had the feeling it would build.
The first race I struggled to keep pace with the lighter guys when the wind was between 3 – 6 knots. I managed a great result to the top mark in 9th but couldn’t hold my ground and on the second work the breeze went left and I was in the middle … arggh finished 16th … again OK start to the regatta.
The second race I was keen to make a come back and get some solid results on the board. I did some careful observation and the breeze had built to 6 – 10 knots. The yachts well up the course were knocking on starboard tack and I knew that would mean the next big phase of pressure was going left !!! I started down on the pin end away from the guys up on the boat. My game plan was to go left and then when in position cross the fleet on port with a left hander gust.
The plan went perfectly! I went left and knocked out near the lay and charged back across to take 2nd at the top mark behind Matias Del Solar (CHI). We had a decent lead and held it for the race. I took 2nd !!! great result
The 3rd race I played a simular game plan but the fleet caught on and the pin was crowded. I started about 1\3 of the way up from the pin and rocketed out of the start to squeeze off the guy above and hook into the odd right hander. I managed to pull out from the fleet and wait for the layline before tacking and crossing to round in 6th. Looking good.
The first downwind I managed to pull a kiwi back by riding the waves and keeping an eye on the pressure behind me. Once in the groove I had speed and rounded in a close 5th on the bottom mark. I played the left side on the next beat with Ivan (CRO) and managed to get by him and came close to taking Mike Leigh and Fredrik (FIN). The next run I went out all guns blazing but didn’t make any boats but importantly chipped away and closed on Mike and Fredrik. I rounded the bottom mark and reached to the finish to go high and pass over Fredrik steal his wind and take 3rd with Matias closing in. !!! another solid result in top 3 !!!
Big thanks today to Adrian Finglas who gave me some pointers and really looked after me as the ASDS Coach. I found having a coach a major addition to strong racing ability. A coach can look and see those things you did not pick up or only thought about it later. That way you can hear straight away after the race and carry out change process in the next race. Gold …
I finish today in 4th and am first aussie again by miles. We have some wind forecast for tomorrow so we shall see how day 3 goes !!! stay tuned … on a mission to get on the podium here.
