Paul Cayard at the 2018 ISCYRA Western Hemisphere Championship - Day 2
by Paul Cayard 14 Apr 03:37 PDT
12-15 April 2018
2018 ISCYRA Western Hemisphere Championship © Courtesy of the Race Committee
Two more races were completed today enroute to crowning the 2018 Western Hemisphere Champion in the Star Class.
More postcard conditions today...8-12 knots from the East Southeast.
In race 1, after a tricky battle with various adversaries, Arthur (Tutu) and I won the final sprint to the line to take the win. Luca Modena of Italy pushed us hard and finished second while Lars Grael maintained his consistency with a big comeback to finish 3rd. Diaz had a tough race and finished 10th.
In race two, Tutu and I had a good first lap as did Grael. As we went up the second windward leg, Greal got left while we were out to the right. The wind shifted 30 degrees left. Large windshifts have been happening both days but it always comes back. It didn't this time and Tutu and I lost 500 meters to Grael and 4 other competitors. We stayed focused and ground are way back to 2nd. It could have been much easier than that!
Our speed upwind and downwind seems very good. We tried a different job today which was good to learn about.
Grael and his crew Samuel Goncalves have a strong grip on the championship, with 7 points, at the half way point. Tutu and I are in second place with 15 points. Jorge Zaria Ian third with 19. It will be tough to reel the Brazilians in and tomorrow will be decisive.
Complete scores can be found at www.yachtscoring.com.