Waka Racing- Phil Robertson reflects on Match Race Germany

by Phil Robertson on 21 May 2013
Waka Racing's Phil Robertson reports from Lake Constance, Germany and Match Race Germany:

Match Race Germany is the first stop of the World Match Race Tour. It can be so good to you or just brutal. It has been very good to us in the past, finishing third and first in the last two years. Unfortunately we experienced the brutal part this year. Missing out on the quarter finals on count back in ninth place.

Lake Constance is generally light and shifty at this time of year. Random puffs and freakish comebacks are part of the norm here. We were sailing well. Starts were on form, up winds were a strength, down winds were a pass, but luck didn’t play on our team this year.

We needed to win one of our last two races to qualify for the quarterfinals. First was Williams. Winning the start, we lead comfortably around the track. Playing the shifts well and sailing smart for one and a half laps. His last move was to gybe set at the top mark, Jesus Card. It paid as we watched our six-boat length lead evaporate as he sailed around us. That hurts.

Still in with a chance we knew the last race was a must win. Again we nailed the start and lead comfortably until the second upwind. He mad inroads, we protected the right. Our slip up came when we didn’t nail the starboard lay line at the top mark. He did everything perfect and cleaned us out in the rounding. Unfortunately we couldn’t come back from there.

As you could imagine, it was a quite motor back in. Not many words to say between the crew, just utter disappointment. That is one of the worst feelings to experience. Knowing it was in your hands and not closing it out. Brutal.

We now have a week off before we start racing again in Korea. Redemption time!

Waka Racing would like to thank Tax Management NZ, China Spirit, Line 7/Events Clothing and KZ Race Furlers for all their generous support.

Waka Racings line up for 2013 is: Phil Robertson, Garth Ellingham, James Williamson, Nick Catley and Adam Martin.