So it is day 5 of 6. Ken & I have really no hope of winning the Canadian spot. But heck - we gave it a good try. Leaving nothing on the table or the water, so to speak. As we were sailing out today we discussed that we need to have a good day - no stress - let's "get a bullet" (in racing terms - that means a first). Other option could be "take a bullet" - which you can all guess is not a good idea.
We go out for Race 1 of 2 for the day - good start - go right - whole fleet goes left. We keep right wind is good - then figure we should cover the fleet..... story goes on - we play catch up. Get to the reach mark - everyone is in front of us but they are having a hard time holding the reach - we go high & set so we don't have as tight of a reach & manage to keep "on our feet" & make some good speed - catch up to the back of the pack at the gibe mark & have a good downwind. Get to the leeward mark & go back up wind. Unfortunately we get into a "port-starboard" with another boat (happy to say we were starboard - therefore the "right-of-way" boat) BUT port boat who is trying to duck us are not going to make it!!!! Sarah - you will be happy to know we avoided a collision with a crash tack & kept a massive hole out of your port back 1/4 panel. We call protest & then continue to pull an 8th!!!! Man not only does that suck - but it wrecks our 7th place consistency streak.
Race 2 of 2.... we were having a good lineup for a good start, but a big left shift came in & we had to gibe around before hitting the pin boat - we take everyone's transom & go off to the right. After we go right - then tack back to the middle of the course & once again another LAST (can you say the "f" word) at the windward mark. Same thing on the reach mark - all boats in front are on a tight reach (maybe too tight) - we go high, set & have a faster more controlled reach to the mark. Good downwind - round at the bottom mark with the pack. All but one boat goes to the left gate - we take the right as it looks favoured to us & we are wanting to go left - as the left side of the course was filling in & the prediction all day was for the wind to go left. Well we get this awesome pressure band & get lifted & lifted & lifted (that's a good thing). As we are on starboard tack sailing fast we get this "auto tack" - the wind shifted so fast & so hard it caused the boat to tack. Personally - I think it was Nick's spirit - he was wanting to give us a helping hand. Nick owned/sailed the boat we have now for Beijing & who won Gold in 2008. Nick had final stages of ALS when he won Gold & subsequently passed away within 3.5 months of that win. He was an amazing man. So thanks Nick for the auto-tack. So following that we were on a port tack lift, lift, lift. By this time Kenny & I realize we could now possibly be leading the fleet - EVERYONE went right.
We get to the top mark FIRST!!!! wow the heart is pumping now. We round the mark - have a great set - spins up & flying.... we are going downwind fast & in front - oh what a feeling. Now just need to hold the lead - no way in the world do I want to lose that spot now. Ken is great - he keeps reminding me - Brenda we sail good downwind - that mellows me out a wee bit. We get to the gates - all we need to do is gibe & head for the finish & keep the next team from passing us. The Aussie team is hot on our heels but they don't have quite enough time & we cross FIRST!!!! YEE HAA. The race committee even cheered for us. I kind of felt like the "special team" - but really I think they were just really happy for us. We got lots of congrats from fellow competitors & coaches = that was really nice. We managed to get the third for the day standings.
So one more race to go - today. Again - Ken & I are going to give it our all.
Keep well & thanks for tuning in.
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