Anna Tunnicliffe- Happy with a bullet

by Anna Tunnicliffe on 22 Apr 2009 2008 Olympic Gold medallist, Anna Tunnicliffe reports from Hyeres, France:

I won the only race of the day for the Laser Radial fleet today at the Semaine Olympique Francaise, to move up to second place overall. Racing was again scheduled to start at 12pm, but due to lack of wind, we were postponed for about an hour. When we finally went out, the breeze was only just filling in, so it took about another hour before it settled down enough and racing could get underway.

Race one started in 5-7kt of breeze from the southwest. I had a great start just up from the committee boat and tacked away quickly to the right side. I sailed all the way right and then tacked in the pressure and crossed the fleet. I was first at the top mark, but got caught out-of-pressure on the downwind and let about seven boats pass me. Upwind, I didn't sail very smartly and failed to gain back any boats. But, on the last downwind leg, I sailed very well and passed everyone back to go on to win the race. It felt really good to finally put a race together and come away with a bullet.

The second race of the day didn't make it through to the finish line before the wind died. I was having an OK race, and then made a huge gain on the second beat, but the wind completely died so the race committee finally had to abandoned the race.

We have three races scheduled for tomorrow with a similar forecast as today, but hopefully we can get them in so as to get back on track.

I would like to thank my sponsor Carmeuse for their continued support of my campaign for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Sail hard,

Anna