Happy Days ...
Sheboygan is located 87 kilometres North of Milwaukee .. the location of the American sitcom Happy Days set in the 1950’s. Much of Sheboygan is still very much from this time, in fact the historic precinct near our hotel feels like a Hollywood movie set, the only thing missing really are the classic cars lining the streets.
Day two of the regatta was a happy day for the AUS team. Highlights include;
• Matt Bugg (Norlin 2.4) seized the #1 ranking after a stellar day on the water scoring a 2nd, 1st & 1st.
• Chris Symonds (Hansa 303) climbed to #2 ranking after an impressive display scoring a 3rd & 1st.
• Genevieve (Hansa 303) is flying the AUS flag proudly for the women and has solid a 3rd & 4th to her credit and is currently ranked #5.
I enjoyed some improved results also and feel more settled and happy with my progress. My scorecard for the six races completed for the regatta so far is now; 10th, 10th, 10th, 9th, 7th, 7th .. nice trend!
My overall ranking has improved marginally to #29 and I’m potentially within reach of a cluster of 10 ahead if I sail well.
Race 5 was sailed in lumpy waters and a light unstable breeze. I’m starting to let go of external thoughts now and feeling more connected to the boat and the elements when racing. I’m also thinking less about what others are doing and focusing more on just sailing my boat well and fast and tacking when instinct prompts me. Difficult conditions and some great sailors in the fleet and so thrilled to finish with a solid 7th.
Race 6 was finally commenced after a long postponement due to lack of wind. I started well enough .. perhaps a few seconds late at the start boat end and then immediately tacked onto port, this was a mistake but not too costly overall and I was still in the mix, of the mid fleet pack, at the top mark. The wind dropped almost completely mid race and at one point most of the fleet were stranded unable to make the second rounding of the windward mark. I’m learning fast from past mistakes and much more aware now about boat position particularly on the downwind run. I’m better able to defend myself now and this new skill helped me to regain a place in a snail pace sprint for the finish line to claim another 7th, by a half boat length in the last race of the day.
Three days of racing remain and hopefully more happy days and improved results to come. Loving Sheboygan!
#SailabilityWA
#RPYC
#Paraworlds18
Rainy day down in the harbour ...
Great excitement and a wonderful vibe amongst Team AUS as an impromptu early morning gathering forms around the tailgate of the coaches Chevrolet SUV.
It is a still and beautiful morning and the rain has washed the streets of Sheboygan and created a sense of peace and renewal down at the harbour. Looking through the rain drops on the car window on the short drive down, everything looks a little bit more special today. The regatta is building to a climax and there is an awareness now that our time here will soon come to an end.
The Hansa 303 men’s fleet has been split into Gold and Silver divisions after the conclusion of the qualifying series.
Chris Symonds (TAS) has been in brilliant form for Australia and never in doubt for a spot in the elite Gold fleet representing the top 17 racers. After just two races today, in confused and lumpy waters, the final rankings for the Gold fleet were settled with the top 4 going through to the finals on Saturday. Chris finished ranked #2 after achieving a 7th and then a 4th in the second race.
I finished the qualifying series ranked #29 out of 33 starters overall and raced today in the Silver fleet along with 16 other contenders. These difficult conditions were beyond my developing skill set and I could only manage a 10th, 11th and a 12th in our third and final race for the day .. and final race for the regatta as it turned out as scheduled Friday racing was soon after cancelled due to forecast storm conditions with winds gusting to 30 knots.
Based on this I finished the regatta ranked #12 in the Silver fleet and ranked #29 overall from 33 starters. I’m content with this, clean racing on my part, with only one penalty incurred from hitting the top mark in race 4 way back on Tuesday, day 1 of the regatta.
The focus now shifts to the finals on Saturday with Australia represented in three categories;
• Genevieve (RPYC / WA) sailed brilliantly in races 8 & 9 achieving a stellar 2nd and 3rd to snare a place in the Hansa 303 Women’s final and overall ranking #4 at the conclusion of qualifying series.
• Chris Symonds (TAS) will contest the Hansa 304 Men’s final after qualifying ranked #2.
• Matt Bugg (TAS) will compete in the Norlin 2.4 final after after slipping just 1 point behind to secure a #2 ranking.
Game on now as all three have an outstanding opportunity to achieve personal glory to the delight of a very proud sailing nation.
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi !!!
Last Modified on 23/09/2018 19:27