GBR Match Race Girls

For the final day of racing in Calpe the race committee had it all against them having to try and run the semi-finals, finals, 5th-8th playoffs and sure enough there was no wind!

When we were finally released to the race area we were up against Marga Cameselle (ESP) first and after leading off the line we were able to just about stay a length ahead in the light choppy breeze to then extend on the final downwind and win by a good five lengths. Next up we were up against Anna Kjellberg (SWE) and after an even start we were slightly slower first off and just missed the first cross. After a close tacking duel to the first windward mark we remained close around the first mark and the first downwind but were then on the back foot for the next upwind, never being able to gain the distance back. At a minute to go before our final start against Silke Halhbrock (GER) we had at least a 40 degree right shift making the first leg somewhat of a drag race and unfortunately despite starting the right side we were on the wrong side! Silke continued to hold a good lead and so we unfortunately finished the playoffs 3rd and so 7th overall.

In the semi finals Claire Leroy (FRA) beat Lotte Meldgaad Pederson (DEN) 3–1 and in the others semis Julie Bossard (FRA) and Katie Spithill (AUS) were level at 2–2 before the breeze shut off completely and racing was abandoned for the day. This left Claire and her team to take the overall victory.

So a very disappointing end to our event, it was great to win the round robin but were disappointed to then drop to 7th. Some valuable lessons were learnt though and we look forward to putting them right in some training at home and our next event, next month.

Lucy x

After one hour’s postponement racing got under way this morning in a light 7knot breeze, the plan being to finish the round robin then continue on to the quarter finals. We had some challenging matches left against Claire Leroy (FRA) , Julie Bossard and Katie Spithill. After getting a penalty on Claire and holding the lead around the course we got our first win of the day. This was followed by another two good wins against Bossard (FRA) and Spithill (AUS) to put us in first place overall after the round robin.
With the breeze up and down and shifting through 90 degrees it was 16.00 hours before we the race committee managed to start the quarter-finals and having finished 1st in the round robin we were up against 8th placed Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (DEN). We knew the Danish team would put up a very good fight and were therefore pleased to win the first match by a good margin. After another short wait for shifting breeze the second flight was started in 12 knots. An even start saw us split tack and then come back behind the Danish and unfortunately after a small gain downwind it was not enough to take the win. The second start was very similar and looking back I think we were a little slow in this boat because again, come the first cross we were behind from the favoured side. We kept working at it though and were very close to getting ahead at both windward marks but not quite enough to get ahead. Winning the round robin then finishing the quarters 2-1 down is certainly a disappointing way to miss out on the semi-finals. Now we wait to see if we’ll get in 5th-8th play offs tomorrow.

8 flights were completed by the race officials today in 12-16 knots and more big seas. We sailed a strong first 4 races controlling the pre-starts and leading from start to finish. Within the starting sequence of our 5th match against Debbie Capozzi (USA) the outer casing of our jib halyard broke leaving us unable to set up our jib halyard, despite some quick thinking from the girls at the front of the boat!! Although we had an even start and were tactically correct we were slow upwind and so lost by less than a boat length…gutting but unavoidable.

After sitting out for a couple of flights our final race of the day was in bigger wind against Linda Rahm (SWE). Having had an even pre-start Linda led off the start line. We managed to close the gap by the first windward mark but a shift on the second beat allowed her to gain an unassailable lead.

We are lying in 2nd after today with everything to play for tomorrow.

Nicky and (a very bruised and battered) Ally. xxx

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