Rio 2016 - Paras get pummelled in big breeze on Guanabara Bay - Day 3

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 15 Sep 2016 The 60 sailors from 23 nations competing in the 2016 Paralympic Regatta took a beating from winds close to the limit that prevailed on Guanabara Bay on Day 3 of the Regatta.

“We had breezes from 17 to 24kts. From the south. There were three long races – the target time is 65 minutes,” Sonar coach, Andrew Brown (NZL) told Sail-World.com.

“We had a solid three hours of racing.”

“Our focus was on the process and routines today – not focussing on anything else. It worked well the guys were really consistent.”

Brown is the on the water coach for the New Zealand entry skipper by double America’s Cup winner, Rick Dodson, who is also a former world champion in several classes.

Dodson (55) switched to the Sonar after being diagnosed with MS, initially teaming up with David Barnes, a three times World 470 Champion, skipper of the KZ-1 in the 1988 America’s Cup. Barnes, also an MS sufferer, deteriorated to the point where he could no longer sail, and Dodson moved from the tactician role to the skipper.

This is the first time a New Zealand crew has competed in the three-man keelboat at a Paralympics.

“The second race was the most pleasing when they got their sixth”, Brown told Sail-World.com.

“The reason for that is that they were back into ninth or 10th at one point. They fought their way back, passed a few boats and scored a good sixth place. The other two races were awesome because they were fourth places.”

“But the sixth was very pleasing from my perspective. They just kept plugging away,” he added.

“We didn’t expect the wind to be over 20kts, but had been told it would be 14-19kts today.”

The Sonar fleet sailed on the Escola Naval course to the east of Guanabara Bay, with the top mark placed in line with the rock fortress of São João which partially blocks the channel to the Atlantic Ocean

“The sea was quite confused; there is quite a big tide line on the right-hand side. So tides were a big part of it today. It was very choppy where the tideline goes through.”

All the sailors, the whole fleet, did really well in the conditions. You see these guys with all their different abilities – guys with no legs and the like. They all did really well to survive in the conditions today.

On points, Brown says it is still very close at the top of the points table, with the series currently being led by the Colin Harrison skippered Australian crew.

Five points cover third to seventh places after six races have been sailed.

“At this stage, we are not focussed on the results, “says Brown. “We have three races at noon tomorrow on the Sugarloaf course (most inshore course) and we are just focussed on our processes and having good races. After that we will have a look at the points and who we have to beat. (There is one race remaining on each of the two days.)

“Consistency is going to be a big factor because everyone is having some high scores.

“Things are very positive here – we’re looking forward to a fun day tomorrow.”

The wind is forecast to be 11-14kts from the SE for Day 4 of the six-day regatta when a further three races are scheduled.
“Things are very positive here – we’re looking forward to a fun day tomorrow.”

The wind is forecast to be 11-14kts from the SE for Day 4 of the six-day regatta when a further three races are scheduled.