Race 1, About 8-12 knots, I went for a port tack start but played it a little too safe and Wojtek got a perfect port tack start and was gone. I managed to round in 2nd and we then pulled out a good lead until we went to the wrong upwind mark on the second lap giving us 400m extra sailing so we were then out of the top ten. But then many guys sailed through the starting line on the second upwind which was not allowed so they were disqualified. So all I know is that Gonzalo ARG-3 ended up winning this race. I didn’t get to see the results after guys were disqualified as I could have moved up a little at least one as Wojtek sailed through the start line in front of me.

Race 2, About 8-10 knots and shifty, the line was really port favored so many guys came to start on port tack making it really difficult to get a good start in this light wind. I could not get off the line clean leaving me in around 20th on the top mark. I had an excellent down wind catching up to top ten, then on the second up wind I also took another few guys to get into 4th position while in the lead Ross Williams GBR-83 had excellent last down wind leg taking Wojtek POL-10 to wind the race with Kevin USA-3 in 3rd.

Race 3, 15 knots odd, Today I really left my brain on the beach, after having a clean start and leading the first lap with Wojtek in 2nd I forgot again about the shorter upwind mark for the second lap as it was just so short for a second upwind. This time I didn’t go all the way to the other mark and managed to reach back down wind to round in 2nd behind Wojtek and with the last short down wind and giving so much of a lead from my mistake there was no chance to catch him before the finish, leaving me in 2nd with Phil AUS-7 finishing 3rd.

Race 4, 15-20 knots I was determined not to make any more mistakes, I had another clean start although when I tacked Gonzalo tacked on top of me and was going fast but not enough upwind so I had to let him past then get out of his dirty water to start pointing much higher and good again so I lost a little there but still managed to round the top mark in 4th position close behind Micah USA-34 in 1st Andrea ITA-1 in 2nd Phil 3rd with Wojtek 5th behind me. I then managed to pass Phil on the first reach, then Andrea on the first down wind jibe and on the 2nd up wind I managed to point higher than Micah to tack at the same time for the top mark putting me into the lead that I extended to the finished after Micah fell on his jibe on the down wind letting Wojtek through to take 2nd with Andrea 3rd.

Best Regards,

Steve

——————————————————-
Its been a reasonably windless week before the event which has made testing of new sails not as easy as planned. I was lucky and received my sails days ago from NEILPRYDE, Wojtek and some others weren’t so lucky, he received his sails last night, which meant a lot of work on the morning of racing. He decided he liked my sail colours better than his so we swapped, which meant even more work, of changing sail numbers. But now I have the all-silver Rs4 sails, SWEET! Because colour makes all the difference you know ;).

I wasn’t sure how well Id race as I am taking antibiotics for a cold, I feel quite weak, The conditions were good today, blowing up to 17 knots. The race organizers packing in short races lasting 10 minutes for the leaders, its a good thing I think because its more interesting and active, it feels more like an extreme sport rather than long races seem like dinghy sailing sometimes. I hope short races are a sign of the future.

Tomorrow the wind is forecasted to be stronger, so maybe I’ll get to try the 9.8?! equipment summary: I think from what I have used of them so far, the new NEILPRYDE RS4 sails are great, and works well on the STARBOARD 158. event summary: so far, having a great time in good conditions. Everyone should come to this event just to experience how nice it is out here.

Have fun!

KEITH ATKINSON . GBR-56