TV3/Fisher & Paykel Star Day 4 report

by Rohan Lord/Miles Addy on 5 Aug 2007 Report from TV3/Fisher & Paykel Star team (Rohan Lord/Miles Addy) on Day 4 of the North American Star Championships:

Following is the Day 4 and final report report;

Race 6, was very similar to Race 5, in that we used the downwind current as an opportunity to be aggressive on the start by sheeting on early, with the confidence of an accurate transit, at the favoured pin end, with heading to the favoured left side.

Left was favoured due to current relief, and wind compression along the shore line combined also with a geographic directional bend along the shoreline, which caused a generic starboard lift.

Being too greedy, instead of lee bowing the port tacker's on the port lay line into the top mark, we broke the golden rule which we obeyed yesterday and it paid off. So as a result we over stood the top mark and lost the lead and rounded third at the first mark.

Despite the obvious frustration of 'how many times must we/I make this mistake', we re composed, and took the shoreline on the run with caution(top 5 IS better than dropping 20 boats being on an edge) - for the increased wind strength due to the compression. Pressure seemed to be everything in the typically light but maturing sea breeze. It was a tough run with the fleet spread wide, but our hunch seemed to pay off with us passing the first two boats who took the opposite way from the shoreline.

We rounded a close first at the bottom, but took the wrong gate (starboard looking upwind). It looked more upwind, but it was further away from the favoured shoreline. As a result we slipped to 4th at the top, but regained to 2nd at the bottom, which was achieved through boat speed and tactical positioning (holding out a couple of boats beyond the lay line).

Wanting to avoid rounding the bottom mark after the 1st boat, we chose the 'unfavoured gate again, and struggled to hang on upwind to our position.

Running the shoreline, meant you had to ready for a sudden 'water' or 'starboard' call. We got pinned between both a had to crash tack, unsuccessfully. So boat handling on my part, let us down to finish 5th in Race 6 and 10th overall. McDonald/Fatih, sailed tactically out standing to win Race 6, and Horton/Nicholl a well deserved 1st overall.

Compared to the early part of the regatta we started to find form again the latter part, which was a relief. However saddled with a 28th and OCS (both our own fault), it was going to be challenge to achieve a good overall result. With the light winds, the racing has been extremely close, and competitive being Olympic selection year. Any mistake punished, so another great developing experience.

Thank you

Rohan Lord