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26 July 2004
Opening Ceremony
Race Day 1: For the first race the team experienced 15-knot winds, and for the second race it dropped to about 10 knots. The entire team had good boat speed upwind, but lacking in the downwind (Lacking meaning: same speed as everyone else). Unfortunately Aaron was protested and was dealt with arbitration. The competition has been tough. With the 280 Laser 4.7's spread over 4 different fleets (+70 boats per fleet) the team had to fight hard for their well-deserved positions!
Race Day Two
About 10 knots of wind today, picking up to 15 knots in the late afternoon. Very inconsistent and switchy in the first race, but settled down for the second. The boys were pleased with most of their results. However our day started on a bad note when Aaron arrived at our hotel door announcing some affirmative shopping had been done from our charter boats! Aaron had his Frederickson mainsheet block stolen, as well as some bungs from the other boats! 83 Euros later, Aaron was ready to start sailing again! Today the boy's free lunch was something we'll never forget! At first we thought we saw ice creams in the fridge, but when we looked closer we saw they were Kono- Pizzas! This amazing lunchtime snack is made up to look like an ice-cream cone, but really it's a mini pizza base that has been rolled into the shape of a cone with all the cheese and pizza toppings inside! Very different and highly enjoyable!
Race Day Three
A brilliant days sailing, with 15 to 18 knots. The SA team has achieved good results and are still motivated to do well. Justin had to retire from race one today when his tiller came apart in the heavy winds. He quickly found a replacement and he was back on his way, winning the next race! Aaron consolidated nicely with two thirds. Sean and Michael also consolidated and are sailing well. At this stage they are all heading for the gold fleet, which will be decided after today's racing. At the moment they are sailing in four rotating fleets, of + 70 boats, depending on their results today they will be put into either the gold, silver, bronze or emerald fleets; and continue to sail in these fleets for the remainder of the regatta. The South Africans are very well organised with their launching, having selected a launching area away from the crowd! Some of the other teams have not been so lucky! World War 3 nearly broke out yesterday, with the French and the Australians fighting over parking space for their boats. Both adults and children were getting involved! Those Aussie kids know how to swear!!
Race Day Four
Race Day Five
Final Overall Positions The final days racing was held in stormy conditions, with winds of 12 to 20-knots. Two races were sailed on the Northerly wind, which is the morning wind, in a different part of the lake. We were up at 05:15 and left the shore at 6:30 this morning. We arrived at the start with the committee boat, as they were setting up the start line. We then proceeded to map the course, working left and right. A big advantage to us was that the other boats only arrived just before the start and were unable to gain this course knowledge. All four of our boys sailed in the gold fleet for the first time, as yesterdays racing was cancelled due to a storm. The first mark rounding saw three SA sailors in the top four. Sean lead, followed closely by Justin and Aaron. The second top-mark rounding saw Justin leading the fleet by 40 metres, finally finishing 100 metres ahead, followed by Sean in 3rd position and Aaron in 5th. Race two was accompanied by 20-knot winds. With big, awkward chop and lightning and thunder surrounding the start line, some of our boys were unable to get a good, clean start. Lots of barging and bumping was taking place. Justin was able to get a clean start. Being 3rd around the top mark, he was followed closely by the Slovenian in 4th. At the second top-mark rounding Justin worked a starboard lift coming up to the mark, and rounding it 30 metres ahead of the fleet. He continued to increase the gap to about 60 metres till the finish.
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