I couldn’t resist sending an update while my score card is looking this good – it will probably be all down hill from here!
The Master Radial fleet which I’m competing in has 39 boats. The fleet has competitors from Russia, Sweden, Argentina, USA, Canada, NZ, South Africa, Japan and the UK, many of which are ex-champions so the competition is fierce! Now to put some perspective on things – I’m sailing in a boat that is at least 25 years older than any other boat in the fleet. My sail is so old that they almost didn’t allow it at the measuring. I have done virtually no pre-series training and no racing practise for 6 years!
So to go out there on day one and score a 20th and 29th placing made me pretty excited. Yesterday however, has blown my mind! I got a 18th in the first race, but the real highlight was the second race of the day – I was 3rd around the first mark and crossed the line in 7th place! I can’t tell you how hard I sailed to try and maintain that position – they were like a pack of blood thirsty hounds after me! This would have to be one of the great thrills of my sailing career. With my current discard (29th) I am sitting at 16th place.
The rest of the week looks windy so this should play to my advantage but as I said, the competition is red hot and my body is already starting to pack it in.
Results are posted daily on – http://results.rqys.com.au/12-WLM/12-WLM-RADIAL.htm
