Good week in Weymouth training for the Test Event

Friday 22nd July, 2011

We are just coming to the end of a great week training in Weymouth, preparing for the Pre-Olympic Test Event which starts a week on Monday. We’ve had a good group of guys to train against and done way more starts than I can remember!

Before each Olympic Games a Test Event is held at the venue one year in advance to ensure that all the facilities, equipment, logistics and technologies are in place and up to scratch. It not only gives the organisers, media and local suppliers a chance for a “dry run”, but is also an excellent opportunity for the competitors to sail in conditions as close a practicable to what it will be like at Games next year.

Twelve countries have been invited to compete at the Test Event, as determined by the current world rankings. We’re excited to be representing Great Britain, along with teams from Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden and USA.

The fleet of 12 brand new Elliott 6m boats which will be used at the Test Event and in 2012.

After a weekend off we’ll be back on Monday to really start focusing on the Test Event. The WPNSA has started to be cleared out ready for all the security checks and it feels like the mood is changing….bring it on!

Lucy x

Further information at the Test Event and London Prepares websites.
The Match Racing starts on Tuesday 2nd August.

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Silver at Skandia Sail for Gold

Saturday 11th June, 2011

It wasn’t quite our day today in the match racing finals at Skandia Sail for Gold, losing to Anna Tunnicliffe 3–0.

Our first start was very close, with both teams coming to the line early, we thought we’d made a good start and gained the dominant right hand side, but unfortunately we were judged to be over and had to restart, trailing by some margin for the rest of the match. The second and third matches were very close, but we didn’t manage to nail the starts and although always threatening we couldn’t pass to take a race win.

While we’re disappointed with the defeat in the finals today, overall we’re very pleased to come away with a medal here on home waters in the biggest test yet at the 2012 venue.

We’re delighted to also have been confirmed entry to the official Olympic Test Event which will be held in Weymouth & Portland in August, where only the top 12 nations will be permitted to send a single team, as it will be in the Olympics next year. So we now two more months of training to turn that Silver into a Gold! :)

Many thanks for all the support we’ve received this week, both from our sponsors, supporters, and friends and family cheering us on.

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Into the finals

Friday 10th June, 2011

A very long day on the water today for the Match Race Girls at Skandia Sail for Gold regatta in Weymouth, with the breeze slowly building throughout the day to about 20kts.

First up was our quarter final matches against Mandy Mulder (NED). We won the first, then they levelled the score. We won the third, then they equalised again, making it 2–2 and a winner takes all in the 5th. The deciding match was close, but after a good start we maintained the dominant position and a small lead throughout to go through 3–2.

Our semi-final was against Sally Barkow (USA). Sally won the pre-start in the first match, and went on to win. There was drama in second match at the leward mark as Barkow was given two penalties, the second of which has to be taken immediately. This allowed us to sail to an easy win and bring the score level at 1–1. In the third match we picked up a penalty in the last few seconds of the pre-start, but maintained control and extended our lead such that we could take the penalty at the 2nd windward mark. This put us neck-and-neck with Barkow on the final run, and a close battle ensued. Several gybes and a bit of a luffing match saw Barkow given first one and then a second penalty meaning again that they have to stop to take one immediately, letting us cruise in to the finish and a 2–1 lead. In the fourth match we had a good pre-start managing to inflict a penalty on Barkow and lead away in a controlling position off the line. The race was again extremely close, though they didn’t manage to take their penalty and we won the semis 3–1.

Tomorrow sees us race for gold in the Finals against Anna Tunnicliffe (USA), Barkow will face Claire Leroy (FRA) in the petit final to decide bronze.

Time for some rest now, then bring on tomorrow!

GBR Match Race Girls GalleryGBR Match Race Girls GalleryGBR Match Race Girls GalleryGBR Match Race Girls Gallery

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Big day tomorrow!

Thursday 9th June, 2011

We finished the gold fleet round robin today in 4th place so we’re ready and rearing to go for the playoffs tomorrow. It’s going to be a big day with quarter finals and then all being well straight into the semi finals so a possible 10 races. In our quarters we’ll be against the Dutch team helmed by Mandy Mulder and if we win the best of 5 series we’d go through to race the winner of Barkow (USA) vs Lehtinen (FIN). The Dutch are a good fast team so I’m sure it will be exciting racing but we’re feeling good about the day.

Check out the video summary of the day below, including interview starting at about 2:20

We’re also looking forward to having our support boat out tomorrow!

Lucy

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