Day 4 of Sail Melbourne started with me looking out the window and seeing a dark day with a steady south westerly blowing at about 20 – 25 knots. There were white caps out all over the bay and there was some big waves about as the bay is relatively shallow at this end.
I ate all morning in preparation so that I would have plenty of energy for the two races. I went to the store and bought some gatorade and powergel (direct injection of carbohydrates).
When I got to the boat park at 1230 I noticed the AP (postponement of races) was up for all classes. Apparently it was a little windy for us … anyways we launched at 2pm and started our first race at 230pm.
The wind was flicking left to right but near the top mark it was left for the first race. I started 1\3rd down from the boat below the big bunch and got out and in front. Mike Leigh and Karol were with me and we punched out of the fleet to take the left side. Mike got to the lay first and tacked and I followed suit. I rounded the top mark in 4th and managed to hold it until the end of the run where Karol took me. I retook him on the next beat and some of the fleet closed a bit as the breeze started going right. Pressure was on !!!
I rounded the final upwind mark in 3rd and duelled downwind with Daniel and Karol … and I lost …
I finished the race in 5th which was a good result but I was disappointed. I got out of phase downwind and misgybed and fell out of contention with the top guys in the big waves.
After the race I had a chat with Adrian and Euan (AST coaches) and they both agreed I didn’t have enough vang or cunningham for the upwind. Turns out my boat need to be re rigged and my vang purchase needs to increase dramatically. A job for tomorrow morning at 1oam in the boat chandellery.
The 2nd race we sat around for about 20 mins. It was freezing!!! I ate some powergel and a gatorade. The first start got off and I really punched out with good speed and full extension hiking. Unfortunately it was a general recall meaning too many people were over the start line.
The second start of the second race was postponed after the breeze went right. We sat in the cold for 10 more minutes before the 3rd and final start of the day.
I sat down from the bunch again and rocketed out of the start but then had an overwhelming sensation of pain in my legs. I was cramping in my quads!!! too cold and dehydrated from those powergels. Never again … just read you should be drinking about 600 ml of water with each one to keep you from dehydrating on carbs … arghhh
Anyway the 2nd race was a total uphill battle. I got rolled off the line and really suffered. There was like 5 boats behind me after the first beat. The first run I LOST A BOAT … Diasaster … then I rounded the bottom mark on a total mission. I cranked the hell out of my vang and cunningham and started heading to the right. I got out in clear air and tacked and went on a crusade to the top mark. A 1 tack work and right on the lay the breeze swung a little more right to help me out. Most of the fleet was in the middle of the course and I crossed over some 15 boats !!! brilliant comeback !!! made it back to 16th by the bottom and finished.
Should have been a far better race but I was OK as I saved my overall score with some hard hiking. I slid one more position to 7th but again am in striking distance for the top 5 … The last two days are normally my strength so I need to re assess some things.
1) I can be fitter
2) My boat needs to be set up technically better. Good lines (non stretch and set up for calibaration)
3) I need warm gear for cooler days to avoid cramps
4) I need more fluids out on the water even when its cold
There are still 3 races to go over the next few days. Stay tuned and watch the transformation on the road to the nationals.
