Skandia Sail for Gold- Kiwi SKUD 18 Team Report from first three days
by Tim Dempsey on 9 Jun 2011
Down wind in Weymouth - Skandia Sail for Gold Hanna Morris
After months of fundraising and training in New Zealand, the first day of racing in Weymouth, UK, finally arrived. After a few hours of delay due to shifty winds, we finally got the countdown for Race 1.
Conditions were quite light and we did not get off the start line in a good spot. We found ourselves tacking onto port to get into clear air (Coach was not impressed!!). We worked hard the whole race and managed to fight back from 17th to finish in ninth. In the second race we got off to a much better start but did not sail as well tactically and ended up with another ninth to finish ninth overall.
Day two dawned with a fresh breeze, our new gennaker bursting into life as we roared downwind to the start area in puffs of up to 20 knots. We felt confident in the conditions, and after ‘a bit of mayhem on the start line’, we positioned ourselves in a clear spot, with an established plan. Being heavy winds we knew we had to make better use of the kicker, and keep the boat moving fast through the gusts.
Managing to stay in third place for the majority of the race, we lost one precious position on the last upwind leg as the Australian team went further out to the left side, passing us at the top mark. It came down to the wire at the finish line, and after consistently holding our third position it was frustrating to have it taken away on the line.
Race two was called off due to heavy winds, and unsafe conditions to be sailing. This was disappointing for us as Jan says, ‘we were soaking wet, rearing to go, and comfortable in the conditions’.
So we ended day two on a high note, getting a good view of the RSX’s course as we struggled to find room outside our course area to drop our sails while the windsurfers buzzed past.
Day three racing was cancelled for us as the wind was deemed to be too strong despite us itching to get out in the fresh breeze.
Sprits are high and team morale is up as we look ahead to more racing. Currently placed seventh, and fifth country overall, we look to keep the adrenalin level up, bringing the same confidence to the start line tomorrow.
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