What can I say. The championships did not go to plan. 2nd in race 1 then last in A heat, last in B heat, last in C heat, just survived in d heat and then crawled back to B but instantly demoted to C and the stuck.
Collisions and an umpire call (subsequently proved to be a wrong call) dominated race 2 to 5. In my web site I talk about positioning, conservative starting, avoiding contact at all cost and keep with the shifts. Well why don’t I follow what I preach.
There are two things different for me in this regatta. One is the heat and you have to drink up to 3 litres of water between 9 and 5 and two I have no anxiety whatsoever about what’s going on. That is extremely unusual for me but it is nice to be so relaxed.
The net result of all the above is I am not switched onto smart racing and sailed well enough for a mid fleet position. The stupid thing is I demonstrated I can do it on couple of occassions, but 5 last places in 8 races tells me I am clearly off the ball.
On the bright side this is a fantastic experience. Superb organisation, great location, lovely people, sunshine and a view of the odd tiger snake (quite deadly) in the water right below our control area. I have loved every day so far.
There are 3 days to go, starting Saturday where I look to improve on the hole I have got myself into. Whatever happens I will enjoy the time and look forward afterwards to explore a little bit of Queensland.
Off for a tour on the good ww2 ship the Gladstone and a visit to the maritime museum.
Send positive vibes to Gladstone and have a great day.
Nigel
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