GBR Match Race Girls

Just about back on-line now but we’ve moved up the coast to Rio where we’re spending a few days before coming back home

Overall we are delighted to have finished in 2nd last week in the ISAF Nations Cup Grand Final. Really pleased to have had such a tight final against the French team of Claire Leroy, although disappointed to have made exactly the same mistake in both of the last two races allowing them to pass downwind!

Porto Alegre made a great job of the event, racing was run very well and everything on shore ran smoothly. Thanks again to Jenkins Marine for their support, and to Chris for all her help finding our accommodation!

Word just in from Brazil: Lucy and team have won their semi final against Giulia Conti (ITA). Claire Leroy (FRA) defeated Anna Tunnicliffe (USA) in the other semi.

At the end of racing today Lucy is 1 — 0 up against Claire Leroy in the first-to-three points final.

Full report to follow soon…

Day three was repechage day for us at the ISAF Nations Cup where places 4th-7th after the round robin stage battled out for the last spot in the semi finals. After waiting around for wind this morning racing finally began at 14.00 in about 6knots and still fairly shifty breeze.

Our first race and win was against the Brazilians where after holding them out at the committee boat at start time, we were able to cover them for the length of the course and remain ahead. Next up against us were the Portuguese team helmed by Rita Goncalves. Although we started ahead, racing was close and after the windward mark they were right on our tail. Leading the gybe on to starboard we were able to luff and win a penalty against them and also keep the overlap, holding them out beyond layline so we could comfortably lead into the leeward mark. By covering upwind we able to extend our lead to gain another win with just one race to go against the Australians. Starting just to windward of them we were able to hold them out to layline for the windward mark and then extend slightly to the leeward mark. With the breeze dying off on our final upwind we knew it could still end up close and sure enough it turned into a bit of a drifter! Although under a bit of extra pressure at the end we secured the final win which puts us through to the semi-finals tomorrow.

In the middle of writing this we just had the draw for boats and teams so tomorrow we will be racing in the morning and against the Italian team helmed by Gulia Conti in the first to 3 points round leaving USA to race FRA.

All in all a much better day, nothing stolen and through to the semi finals!