We are having some enjoyable racing here in Douarnenez. There was an upset to the form book after day 1 with Christine Becker (STARBOARD/GUN) of Germany leading after two races, and myself in second, with Dorota Staszewska (STARBOARD/GAASTRA), in an uncustomary 3rd position. This after two races in marginal wind conditions with the top girls carrying 11.0m sails. In the first race around half started on port tack, and half on starboard tack. I had an almost perfect race choosing to start on Starboard and head towards the land, there was some land effect and I got lifted out on port tack towards the mark. Cindy Koopman (FANATIC/GAASTRA) of the Netherlands had also chosen this route and rounded the top mark ahead of me. Downwind I had better depth and went into first by the bottom mark. On the last beat I banged right, I could have done with a pair of binoculars to sight the mark, but managed to get a perfect layline, and won the race comfortably.
In the second race Dorota seemed to be match racing me off the start, and up the beat, and so we rounded the top mark in around 4th and 6th place. I was surprised at this tactic, especially since Christine Becker was going very fast as well. Dorota pulled up to 2nd and myself 3rd. Meanwhile Christine Becker was smoking around the course and comfortably won the second race of the day.
Yesterday Dorota showed her determination to regain her authority over the fleet, with two 1st places and a 2nd. There were stronger wind conditions for the first two races, and Dorota was clearly more comfortable on her trusty Gaastra Nitro Pro 9.8m. Verena Fauster (STARBOARD/GAASTRA) of Italy was also going very fast, notching up two second places. I was struggling with the set up of my equipment in the first race of the day, and also had bad tactics tending towards the middle of the course, when it clearly paid to be on the right upwind, with bands of stronger wind pressure lifting you on the right hand side. The young Sarah Herbert (STARBOARD/GAASTRA) from New Caledonia raced really well to take 3rd place in the first race of the day. Jenny Le Bihan (EXOCET/NEIL PRYDE) from France was consistent with a 4th and a 3rd. We then had a break back on the beach whilst the men completed two more races.
Back on the water for the last race of the day the wind had dropped two or three knots. Many had opted for their 11.0m sails, although it took me to get out towards the course area to realize it was way too light for my 9.8m, so thinking I had enough time to go and change sails I headed back to the beach to get my 11.0m. Guess what? I missed the start! ‘Quelle surprise’ as they say in France. I went back out to watch the race anyway. Dorota and Cindy Koopman had a huge lead by the bottom of the first lap, I could not even see where the others were. The wind was becoming more fluky as it got later in the day, so the race officer decided to shorten the course at the second top mark rounding. Cindy sailed very well to edge past Dorota in the dying breeze at the top of the beat to win her first race of the championship.
Today we are waiting for the wind. They have already postponed the skippers briefing until 11.30am. The positions are Dorota leading, Christine Becker second and myself third. With one and a half days racing left, it is all left to play for!
