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And now for some of the on-the-water stuff.
We got a practice time assigned to us - it's blowing 20 knots and the waves were absolutely huge (not something you see on Lake Ontario). We went out, tacked, sailed along, pitchpoled upwind, cartwheeled, finally got up again, sailed along, gybed, pitchpoled again, right the boat again - and we're aiming at the harbour entrance - go in. I haven't been on a 16 since October and this is not fun. Find out it's not normal either.
2 days later, the competition starts. Much more like Lake Ontario conditions, so we're at home. My starts are very much out of practice. But we end the day with an 12th and an 8th. We're very pleased - we had no idea how we would place at a world event. We even beat Annie Nelson in the 1st race! (she's the American team, and won most of the races at the NA event last September)
2nd day, we're being very consistent with 2 9's. We're actually calling the laylines for A mark right on - everyone else is sailing much farther and we're picking the right side of the course to sail on.
3rd race day the wind switches direction, it's cloudy and very light winds with sloppy waves - just like a hot summer day in Toronto. We have a good start and manage a 6th. I'm really in tune with the boat and wind and waves, ignoring everything else - felt just like sailing my 17. It's very frustrating to be in the lead when the rule about 20 minutes to the 1st mark runs out. Oh well, at least we know we can sail with the best. Everyone gets a tow home.
Next day was back to their normal conditions, sunny, building wind from the NW. Very shaky 1st race, so really go for it in the 2nd - there is an over early, was it us? As we cross the line in 4th, PU doesn't call our number - yep. Darn, now have a 24th. That drops us a few placings.
Our awesome start on #51!
Then the 6th day. Exactly a week after the messy practice day, we get the same kind of conditions, except the waves don't seem quite as bad. We go for survival mode.
7th day. Wind is about 15, the waves are a little smaller. Finally get the hang of sailing these waves in the 2nd race and having fun surfing down them. Except for one I'm glad we didn't catch...that was a long way down.
8th day. waves are going down. Really into surfing them - and have an excellent start and get a 2nd!!!!
9th day - this is the end :-( Only one race today. We have to beat GBR 1 by 3 boats to move up a spot. It's Friday the 13th, we finish 13th and move up into 13th overall. My lucky number.
It was definately worth the trip - if you ever get the chance to go to a big event, somehow, manage to do it.
And if I write everything about this event, this is going to be very, very long.
Nancy.
