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