Oh yeah, the waiting had an end! – We had our first races yesterday.
After skippersmeeting at 10 o’clock Verena and I prepared our equipment. It was a lazy morning at the beach, but thermical wind should come at noon. And right, with the first gusts the racecomittee set the course and send us out at about 1 pm.
The wind seemed to be quite strong but I chose NITRO4 11m2 and had good speed.
First start went well with Verena leading, then Dorota and me. At the first tack I was unconcentrated and let my sail fall into the water. Verena and Dorota were gone, even Simona and Katja passed me.
But I didn’t worry because I knew that I’m able to fight back 3 rd place with a good upwind. At the upwindmark I found myself back on third position with secure distance to the other girls for downwind and next round.
I felt really comfortable on my STARBOARD 147 on this warm and turkis water here in the bay of Cagliari.
In the little break between the races we watched the guys coming downwind to the finishline, which is always impressive.
At the second start I decided to go from the front and surfed too far out to the sea – instead of going to the land where the wind was a bit stronger. And found myself behind Dorota and Simona at the first upwindmark where all girls had to fight with the dying wind. I did a very good downwindleg passing Simona. But I should have jibed earlier, so I gave Verena the chance to round the downwindmark in front of me.
Second upwind was OK on the first leg. But the nearer the mark the wind dropped more and more. After I had passed the mark without planning at all, the RC cancelled the race.
I felt very sorry, I would have loved to sail some more races. Now we hope for good and sunny conditions for the last day of racing today.
Margit AUT 88
