Dan Slater reports on Race 7 of the ASB Finn 2008 Olympic campaign
Original post by Andrew Campbell and software by Elliott Back
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That’s what happened today on Course A situated just off the massive spectator pier under the Qingdao skyline.??Nearly fifty countries competing in the Laser for three medals after eleven races. Sounds like just another boatrace. Yet, this one is distinct beyond all others. Years of planning and training for the Heaps upon heaps of funding and construction for the venue. All for some Olympic level boatracing.
We had two races today in light and puffy conditions between 4 and 6 knots. A mild groundswell ran under the fleet as we went around the track and otherwise the seastate was fairly manageable beyond coaches, jury and spectator boat wake.
Both my races saw good starts with good lanes near the middle of the line. We had a number of general recalls thanks to an ebb tide running upwind against the easterly breeze, thus both starts went off under black flag (automatic DSQ if you’re over any time one minute before the start). Unfortunately conservative starts and lack of willingness to hang it out into a side led to some mediocre midfleet roundings. Both windward marks I was in the 20 range. After each start I chose when I tacked and each time should have been more patient. Two slight comebacks for a 14, 18 put me in 13th place overall thanks to fairly inconsistent sailing across the board.
It is certainly nice to have those first race jitters out of my system. There are few experiences like sailing your first Olympic race I have to say, and I had some butterflies that I thought I’d put behind me in my youth sailing days. I don’t know if nervous is the word, but certainly anxious about whether you’re doing the right things around the racecourse. I think it will be important to remember that I can’t be perfect across the racecourse and need to just branch out slightly from the over-conservatism with which I started the event. Definitely didn’t have any shockers and to be in the top third is exactly where we need to be to whittle our way down into the top ten and have a shot late it the event.
Original post by Andrew Campbell and software by Elliott Back
That’s what happened today on Course A situated just off the massive spectator pier under the Qingdao skyline.??Nearly fifty countries competing in the Laser for three medals after eleven races. Sounds like just another boatrace. Yet, this one is distinct beyond all others. Years of planning and training for the Heaps upon heaps of funding and construction for the venue. All for some Olympic level boatracing.
We had two races today in light and puffy conditions between 4 and 6 knots. A mild groundswell ran under the fleet as we went around the track and otherwise the seastate was fairly manageable beyond coaches, jury and spectator boat wake.
Both my races saw good starts with good lanes near the middle of the line. We had a number of general recalls thanks to an ebb tide running upwind against the easterly breeze, thus both starts went off under black flag (automatic DSQ if you’re over any time one minute before the start). Unfortunately conservative starts and lack of willingness to hang it out into a side led to some mediocre midfleet roundings. Both windward marks I was in the 20 range. After each start I chose when I tacked and each time should have been more patient. Two slight comebacks for a 14, 18 put me in 13th place overall thanks to fairly inconsistent sailing across the board.
It is certainly nice to have those first race jitters out of my system. There are few experiences like sailing your first Olympic race I have to say, and I had some butterflies that I thought I’d put behind me in my youth sailing days. I don’t know if nervous is the word, but certainly anxious about whether you’re doing the right things around the racecourse. I think it will be important to remember that I can’t be perfect across the racecourse and need to just branch out slightly from the over-conservatism with which I started the event. Definitely didn’t have any shockers and to be in the top third is exactly where we need to be to whittle our way down into the top ten and have a shot late it the event.
Original post by Andrew Campbell and software by Elliott Back
The Australian sailing team showed today that they do not intend to duplicate their Athens performance.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Photos from the RS:X racing
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Greetings from Qingdao, on this fourth day of the 2008 Sailing Olympics.
Original post by Andrew Campbell and software by Elliott Back
Today was a lay day for the Finns. Now they need the right mindset before the medal race on Saturday
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Volvo Ocean Race chief measurer gave Team Russia the green light after successfully completing its pull down test
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Olympic Sailing Regatta Day 4: Anna Tunnicliffe leads after two races.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
The Australian Men’s and Women’s 470 crews have both taken the lead. The big challenge for sailors was choosing the corr
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Basic sailing lessons were handed out by a couple of the competitors in the Laser classes on the opening day in Qingdao
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Day 4r of the Olympic Sailing saw Kiwis compete in Laser, Laser Radial, RS:X Men and Women, and the Men’s 470 classes
Original post by Andrew Campbell and software by Elliott Back
Rolex Sydney Hobart Notice of Race and application for entry now available
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Several Sunshine Coast ocean racing crews have cast their mooring lines and cruised the escape route north.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
18ft Skiff European Grand Prix Round 4 and UK National Championships at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Seventh 18′ Skiff International Regatta blasts off Tuesday through Saturday organized by the host St. Francis Yacht Club
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Hyde Sails have appointed Intersail Australia managed by Rick Byerley as their distributor in Queensland.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Argentina’s Julio Alsogaray cleared out from the 43 boat Laser fleet in the first race of the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
China Telecom signs as Global Strategic Partner for CCIR 2008
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
‘Lighter than yesterday’ is the nutshell forecast for Day 4 of the 2008 Beijing Olympic regatta on Fushan Bay, Qingdao.
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Television New Zealand have advised that the Sailing Olympics will be covered tonight starting at 9.05pm
Original post by Andrew Campbell and software by Elliott Back
15th edition of the Rolex Swan Cup, preparations are in full swing with over 100 entries already confirmed
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Yesterday there was plenty of evidence of algae out on the course
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back
Frederic Duthil crossed the finish line to win the third and final leg of the 39th edition of La Solitaire du Figaro
Original post by Tillerman and software by Elliott Back