Joshua McKenzie-Brown reports from the IFDS Worlds - Day 1

by Joshua McKenzie-Brown on 10 Jul 2010 Joshua McKenzie-Brown reports from the IFDS Worlds where the young New Zealander is competing in the 2.4mtr class:

The IFDS Worlds are the first qualifying round for country selection for Paralympic sailing at Weymouth 2012. I am competing in the 2.4m class, which is the single-person keelboat for the Paralympics.

After endless hours of training on Auckland harbour racing started here in Medemblik today. This is the first time I have seen 50 boats on the line since two years ago.

The first race today was held in extremely light conditions. We basically drifted through the race and since I have hardly sailed in light airs at all I had the boat a bit choked up and by the end of the race I was near the back of the fleet.

The second race was similar conditions but I had it sorted. I got a good start and headed out to the left then tacked onto a huge shift and crossed the entire fleet, ending up rounding the top mark in first place with room to spare. Four of the older and far more experienced sailors managed to overtake me on the next 3 legs and I finished up fifth.

I'm very pleased with the second race today and I got good clean starts in both races. Getting a fifth place in a race in a fleet of 50 boats at a World Champs is a personal best for me.

After two races in this 10 race series I am currently sitting 25th out of 50. (44th, fifth)