Posted on Thursday 10 August 2006
LA in smog mode aka normal
Today racing was postponed by a weird phenomena of smog. About ten minutes before the first race a weird storm looking cloud was on the horizon. Within minutes this cloud surrounded the fleet with everything around disappearing from view. It was one of the weirdest things i have ever seen, with the air smelling like the fumes of a bus, and the land not experiencing any of the smog whatsoever. After about 20 minutes of confusion the smog cleared and racing begun. Alot of black flags were given out today with three races being called back. Thankfully i didnt get one. I had an alright start and sailed okay to get to the top mark in the top ten, with the same judge following me the whole time. As i already have a flag for ’sculling’ and ‘hiking’ i couldnt afford another. I played it safe it on the downwinds and reaches sacrificing places for safety. I watched as sailors around me got flagged for what was good sailing, and were not doing anything illegal in any way. With this in mind, i just sat in the boat, not moving so the judge would have no excuse to get me. the result was that i got 14th in that race with 5th only metres away, but a 14th is better than a flag. The second race today was real flicky and light. The race started in next to nothing and i had a bad start. I caught up then lost it again and rounded the top mark in what seemed like a bad position, however the fleet was really close with the difference between 1st and 70th under 50m. I caught up a little until the race was abandoned because of shifty and light conditions. So i got saved a little there. So now after five races, we get our first drop, counting my DNE, i am 68th and just scraping gold fleet. However now the DNE is set, as redress this morning was not given as the head judge completetly changed his story from what he told me yesterday in front of the Jury Chairman, which i was upset about. Now all i can do is try and work my way back up the fleet and hopefully into the top ten? It might seem hard but its possible so why not! Otherwise having more fun today and feeling pretty relaxed for the rest of the regatta.
Nothing to lose, everything to gain…
Cheers ryan
hey ryan,
You are still doing heaps good, good on ya!!! remember ya there to have fun and learn heaps, i know your havin fun, now remember to learn heaps - this means not just sitting on the boat, STILL WORK IT!just to a lesser extent than usual (if the judges are close by). Not long to go, be aware of everything and have the most fun you will ever have (until next time).