News/Results Latest News Strong Start to Sail Auckland |
Title Sponsor
Supporting Sponsor
Team Suppliers
Supporting Clubs |
| Strong Start to Sail Auckland | | Print | |
|
Auckland, NZ We finished fourth overall on the action-packed opening day of the Singapore Airlines Sail Auckland 2008 regatta. The annual event is hosted by the Kohimarama YC situated on Waitemata Harbour but the Tornados are racing out of the Takapuna Boating Club where we’ll be competing in the World Champs later this month. This was a crazy day and not just for the weather. Our 40 international Tornados delayed our racing for the start of the 42-kilometer waka (six-person outrigger canoe) race around Rangitoto and Mototapu Islands which this year attracted 100 crews from NZ, Hawaii, Tahiti and San Diego. The southwester was forecast to come in at 25-34 knots but it actually varied from 10 to 22 knots. With the wind right off the beach, our weather mark was just 100 yards off the breakers. The heavy puffs coming off the shore and cliffs blasted some boats so hard they almost capsized. It was wild and whacky, with the lead positions changing radically. The racing was concentrated too. All our races were physically and tactically-demanding two-lap affairs. In our first race we made a good start and sailed a conservative race and were comfortably in seventh until a big 20-degree left shift hit us just as we rounded the weather mark for the last time. Our leeward stern just kissed the mark and we were left to peel off and make a 360-degree penalty turn which meant we finished 17th. We had another average start for the third race but sailed an excellent weather leg and rounded the weather mark in first place and extended on the run to a comfortable lead. Starting the second beat there was a massive rain squall approaching, bringing a 20 degree right shift. We tacked to cover the boats behind us but four pressed further into the squall and the right corner. When we came together at the top mark two of the boats that went right were able to cross in front of us, leaving us to finish third. The Race Committee has promised us four races tomorrow. In anticipation, we’ll be treating our 40-year-old bodies to an early night, but not before a short visit to the annual Devonport Wine and Food Festival just around the corner from our house. Our host club for this event is the Kohimarama YC. You can view full results at Singapore Airlines Sail Auckland 2008. Click on "Results" on the top menu and then chose "Tornados". We want to acknowledge all the support of our sponsor, Advanced Equities. Sail fast, Johnny Lovell & Charlie Ogletree - Team Advanced Equities I |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|