Day one of competition was certainly interesting. We had everything from 0 to 15kts gusty and shifty in direction. Due to the depth of the lake the marks where slightly out of wack but still provided us with good courses.
Formula racing is definitely a different style of racing for me coming from a mistral background. Instead of pumping like crazy for forty min in gusty conditions we where all fully powered up and plaining the whole race. The race tactics are similar to those of tornado sailing; get a good start, do minimal tacks and jibes, have good laylines, and sail fast.
For the past week I have been learning the importance of tuning your equipment. You cant change much on the water except your outhawl so it is vitally important to rig your sail perfectly on shore. I found out after the practice race that I had used a fin that was too powerful, the spacers in my cambers where all wrong, my mast track was in the wrong place, and my down hawl also wasn’t right! There are so many aspects to formula racing I need to learn and master, but after one week of practice I feel I have made large steps in becoming fast.
I am looking forward to racing formula this year and am already enjoying having fun with my new friends.
Allison Shreeve – AUS911
