2nd at Troia Portugal Women’s Cup « GBR Match Race Girls

2nd at Troia Portugal Women’s Cup

Thursday 16th October, 2008

A last minute invite to the Portugal Women’s Match held in Troia last week meant a change in team from the past few events. The SM40s are mini Americas Cup style boats, sailed with six crew they are very physically demanding and fantastic fun! There was an international feel amongst the crew with Ally Martin on bow, American Yngling helm Sally Barkow on mast, Lauren Martel in pit, Annie Lush trimming and Silja Letehnin, the Finish Yngling helm on main. Although we hadn’t all sailed together before, or in some cases ever met before, the experience of Annie and Sally onboard meant our team work was amongst the best from day one and this was important early on in the regatta.

With the same number of boats as teams the Sun Sailing Team organizers were able to keep us all out racing all the time and despite unfavorable weather conditions at times, we were able to complete three round robins. During these we generally sailed very well with moments of brilliance however there was a particular moment I’d rather forget but am sure I’ll never be able to live down! In our second race against top ranked Linda Rahm we entered the start line from the starboard end and while ‘dialed up’ head to wind, lost steerage and with the 3 knot cross tide ended up stuck on the committee boat and being towed off by ribs! I hope I’ll never do that one again!

After a real mix of conditions and a thrilling third race against Rahm where we came from behind to take the lead on the second beat and win, we sailed well to finish the round robin stage in 2^nd place behind Rahm.

Unfortunately in complete contrast to Fridays racing in 20 knots, we were left drifting in just 2 knots of wind on Saturday and with a 3.30pm deadline to complete races by, we were frustratingly called off before starting any races in the final. Although disappointed not to get the chance to go head to head against Rahm in the finals, finishing in second place at a Grade 1 event is another fantastic result for us especially in the larger boats looking ahead to next years World Championships in DS37 boats.