Ryan Palk

Well today we had our first two races. Both were held in around 5-10 knots with a large South swell. First race, started with a sandwich between boats, shocking upwind as result and never getting into phase. A bad result. Second race was a glamour start, first to tack off and leading for a while up the first work. However I should have consolidated earlier lettting a few boats ahead of me at the top mark. I sat in 12th for the bulk of the race until one mistake (falling out of phase for like 2 mins) lost me ten boats. Amazing the difference one mistake can make in this competition. Result being a 25th. So currently sitting mid-fleetish, tomorrow supposed to be 25 knots, which technically not really my conditions but we’ll see what happens… otherwise, looking forward to tomorrow and a nother interesting day at Terrigal.

Kiwi coach boat goes snorkelling.

Cheers

Ryan

Today sailing was nicer with a 10-15 knot seabreeze, and the sun finally shining at Terrigal.  The swell is still up and as soon as I slow down the seasickness kicks in.  However hopefully I can manage this with some Kwells that I got this afternoon.  Day 1 of racing begins tomorrow and all 150 entrants will set to course tomorrow at 1pm. I checked my centreboard in to get fixed up a little, as it has a few little chips and air bubbles, so it should be ready tomorrow morning.  Othewrwise jut chilling with Jye Murray and his family, who have nicely put me up in Gosford.  Looking forward to sailing tomorrow, hopefully will be great fun!

good sailing

Ryan

Last nights strong winds proved to be to much for the mooring line of the 2008 Terrigal Worlds start boat, finding itself beached just near the cliff in front of the club. The boat is a fair way up at the moment but the race committee brought in a bocat to trrey and dig out a start boat that so far doesn’t look to keen on being out there.

Today I went for a sail and I can see why. It was about 1 knot with 2-3m swell which made for a thrilling 20min session in which I got seasick. Still, a positive can be taken from this session as I learnt to now take a pack of kwells with me all the time, plus roll tacking, gybing and general pumping made for an alright physical and balance workout. At the moment the low that is dominating the coast seems to be staying put, hopefully a little more breeze tomorrow for the practice race will let us get under way with no seasickness and the start boat in tact.

cheers

ryan

Some of the lasers feel the wrath of the Terrigal pointbreak.

What? 2008 Laser World Championships, Last qualifier for the Beijing 2008 Olympics

Where? Terrigal, NSW, Australia

Who? Me, Ryan Palk, 19, 71kg Full Rig sailor from Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club and Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, QLD.

How did I get here? 3rd Australian at National Championships, thus qualifying for 1 of the 7 spots allocated to Australia for the Terrigal Worlds.

Why? This is the first time I have qualified for the Laser Worlds. With this year being an Olympic year also, the competition is as tight as ever as sailors battle it out for the last Olympic places for Beijing 2008. The current forecast is showing an East coast low or East coast ‘bomb’ forming in the Pacific between Terrigal and New Zealand, mounting strong winds and large waves for the beginning of the regatta. Some sailors have already tasted the bombs power, simply from launching off the beach, being caught out by the waves and snapping masts, booms and tearing sails. The next 10 days should be a very fun experience and I will try to learn and push the most out of myself, whislt 150 of the world’s best laser sailor’s battle it out on the Terrigal ocean race course. Will keep posts up as regularly as I can, for more detailed updates go to www.laser.asn.au

cheers

Ryan