GBR Match Race Girls

After a couple of hours wait for wind, racing finally got underway in Portland harbour for our finals against the Dutch. Placed closein the south west corner of the harbour in a fickle sea breeze racing was tricky, close and frustrating! Unfortunatley after winning the first race, we lost the second so it was all on the third and last race. A great start where we controlled the Dutch and gave them a penalty led to a good position up the first beat until we were the wrong side of a shift at the top. Gains downwind gave us a great position up the second beat until again we lost in a header with no options allowing the Dutch to take their penalty and control the top of the final run, passing us and finally winning by a length at the finish.

Despite today’s frustrations losing the finals, Annie, Ally and I have had a great week, and put in a really solid performance. Our silver this week at Skandia Sail for Gold stretched our lead in the final standings of the ISAF World Cup Series and shows the strength of our team.

For now sleep, but more to follow tomorrow!

Lucy

This morning we completed our quarter-final contest, dispatching Lucinda Whitty (AUS) 3–1, progressing us through to the semi-finals. Here we faced the formidable team of Claire Leroy (FRA), who have led the world rankings for something like the last four years. After three matches it was do or die at 2–1 down, but we hung on in there to bring it level at 2–2 and the all important deciding match. After another epic battle we’ve turned the tables at last and defeated the French, winning the semi 3–2. Tomorrow we will face Renee Groeneveld (NED) in the final.

Sorry for the short update, we’re exhausted, though we have high hopes for tomorrow! The organisers have really gone to town with the “medal race” day tomorrow, so do try and follow the action on TV, radio, or online :)