Ryan Palk

Today was the fifth day of the Laser Radial worlds in takapuna beach, with a 20 knot Ne blowing in on the Hairuki Gulf most of the day.  Mike Leigh and Brad Funk dominated the day, enjoying the windy conditions.  Today I had a 16 and a 6.  First race was up and down, reaching about 10th at one stage but dropping to 16th in the final stages of the race which was dissapointing.  i recuperated for the second race however managing  a good first upwind and maintaining throughout  to finish 6th.  So all in all today was a pretty good day, my speed upwind was good by hiking hard and downwind was very fast when i was in sync with the waves.  Now overall sitting 11th.  Hopefully tomorrow i can get myself into the top ten with consistent races.  Conditions are forecast to be much the same so will be having a good night rest tonight and eating plenty.  So far racing has been quite good. Yesterday’s last race was not so good for me as a 40 degree wind shift hit the fleet at the start and i was on the wrong side of it.  I started boat end which was favoured however the shift along with not securing a clear lane because of some hasty port tackers, left me well near the back at the top mark.  I caught up to 37 however was still not a great race. All that aside, learnt alot about risk management and i certainly will look up the course alot closer before the start from now on.  Looking forward to racing tomorrow and finishing strongly at the 2008 Laser Radial Worlds

Good shot of klade and me on a reach

Getting out

Today was the 2nd day of the Laser Radial worlds 08, after medium winds yesterday, the breeze strengthened today, with the heavier full rig sailors dominating the race track.  Today i managed a 25th and an 11th.  Which is not really the greatest results.  I made a mess of the 1st race with an average start, working my way back, then to overlay the top mark then hitting a starboard tacker, thus taking a 720 penalty turn, i managed to catch up but not enough to get back in the top 20.  Second race start was also average, but with a good 1st beat and learning to stay away from  the lay, i was about 7th going round the top mark, i held onto 9th position all the way to the end until the last beat where i lost a few boats in the last stages nearing the finishing line which was dissapointing.  But otherwise, has been good fun, with some good rides and fun as racing!  It is very close racing at the top and the conditions have been fun.  Unfortunately i have dropped from 6th to 9 th place after today, but i feel i still can come back after today’s racing learning from some critical errors that i made today. 

 With four more days of racing left its important to stay consistent and keep having fun as the 2008 laser radial worlds unfolds, and hopefully improve as the racing goes on.  Hopefully will be able to keep updating blog, however maybe not as im using the club computer and its packed in tight.  otherwise hope all is well back home, so far having fun and learning heaps here!!

cheers

ryan palk