GBR Match Race Girls

After a short postponement, the breeze soon built to 10-12 knots in Calpe bay along with a big swell. Unfortunately with the programme set as it is and a few boat breakages we only sailed in 2 of the eights flights today, however we’re pleased to say we made it 2 wins out of 2.

Flight 1 saw us against Silke Hahlbrock, GER where after a split start the Germans had a boat length lead on us at the first cross. A series of tacks upwind saw us gain but not quite manage to hold the German team out at the windward mark so we continued to tail them downwind and into another series of split tacks upwind. By the final windward mark we came round outside Silke and so were right in her wind downwind. With a long starboard gybe left to the finish and great surfing waves under us it was a question of leading the gybe which we were able to do and just surf to a meter lead at the finish line. All in all a bit close for comfort but none the less a win on the board.

After a long wait where the breeze built to a solid 16knots we were against the Spanish team helmed by Ascension Roca de Togores. The swell made it very hard to manage boat speed and positioning which helped lead to us giving the lead away briefly on the first upwind, but after a couple of good tacks we held a 2 boat length lead at the first mark and were able to extend to the finish.

The forecast for the week is looking good for getting racing in, hopefully all the boats will be back in working order and we can finish the round robin tomorrow.

Lucy x

It’s day one of racing at Calpe and so far we are waiting on shore for wind, it is slowly building so I’m sure it’s not long until we’ll be leaving the dock.

Our crew for this week is Ally Martin on Bow, Jody Slater on mast, Mary Rook trimming, my sister Nicky doing main and then me at the back. We had a good couple of hours practice yesterday in gorgeous conditions so fingers crossed for a good week of wind and racing.

Lucy x