NZL EUROPEAN
OPTI TEAM 2008
REPORT 3
Three more races yesterday with the results not really reflecting how well our kids sailed, but with the difficult conditions many sailors are in the same situation.
More rain overnight meant a second day without the ÒoraÓ. Wind started coming in slowly at 11.30am which was not a good sign as ora normally arrives suddenly at 1pm.
However by 1pm there was a nice building 12 knots and racing got underway. At 1.20pm a big black cloud came over, the temperature dropped 5 degrees and it all changed with the wind going up and down between 5 and 10 knots all afternoon with holes all over the course.
The kids were starting really well and generally wel placed at the top mark but the second beat was generally lighter and all over the show. Henry was in top 5 twice at top mark and 10th in the other way only to be killed on the second beat. In the second race Henry and Alex were first and second at one stage. In some flights on the second beat left would pay but for the next 7 minutes later, right would come through. Even the more consistant first beat had in one flight the leaders in race 1 and 4 coming from the left and 2 and 3 from the right.
The cliff was a great place to watch from and amazing to see a complete fleet on port within 2 seconds of start. The starts are getting a bit of a shambles now with sailors going onto port before the gun so it will be interesting to see if the Judges do anything today.
The regatta is far from over particularly if the ora returns and althoughn the kids have not seen their results they know they are not out of a reasonable regatta placing and they are determined to show what they can do in a decent breeze. There was no rain last night and there a lot of bigger sailors at the yacht club licking their lips in anticipation and a lot of smaller sailors looking a bit nervous!
Even though Jayvee is our smallest sailor and doing best in the light, he trained very well in heavier winds pre regatta and is in with a good chance. Unfortunately he will loose 5 place on his 5th for a not attached whistle but took that in his stride as Jayvee always does.
Vicky bounced back from a disappointing race to get a top 10, and the two big boys are giving their all in the conditions and are in great spirits.
Ciao