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13 July 2005
Well, we got in three races today. Starting off in light flat conditions with the first flight of Boys White & Blue Divisions in about 7knots. It gradually built during the day to 9+ knots and a sharp steep swell very surfable. The girl obviously had the heavier conditions as their starts were after the boys. There has been an approach to the Jury to alternate as some coaches feel that the heavier boys are losing out always starting first - the pattern seems to be that the wind starts build from 12h00 onwards. We could see a change in that the girls might start first for a day and then switch back to boys. The start lines were all comfortably long and generally is was easy enough to get a front row start. Quite often there was a huge pin bias and I noticed that not everyone took full advantage. I'm happy at this stage with a bit of conservatism 'till we find our feet. There was no huge noticeable bow in the line and only one start got off without an índividual'. We had one general recall. However, our guys felt that it was risky creating a big hole as it always got filled even though they had 'dug' in. Second they felt it difficult to accelerate off as the whole pack started moving 30 secs before the gun and you just got rolled. I noticed smaller irritating mistakes like ducking without letting off some main; pinching up without a pre-hike to get the extra height; RSA also took two dunkings on the run!! In all we were comfortable with speed & height though some tended to kill the speed critically soon after the start by pinching (trying too hard?). RSA tended to make gains downwind of average 5 - 7 boats and made up positions on the last beat. I made some rather cruel comments about the Team being lazy coming in to the finish - we must hike all the way; fitness? All I ask of the sailors is that they give it their all . . There are no prisoners. We have first leaders. Jacob Lundqvist from Sweden after scoring 3, 10, 2 is the overall leader in the boys' fleet. In the second place, only one point behind Jacob, is Jess Lyhne Bonde from Denmark (1, 7, 8). Croatian Ante Botica is third. All sailors had their ups and downs today, and those most consistant are in the lead. In the girls' fleet overall leader, Eleonor Gardiner from Bermuda, scored solid 3, 1, 1 but is only 2 points ahead of Emma Oljelund. Emma after scoring a bullet in race no. 1, finished 2 and 4 in second and third race.
Unofficial Results: Boys 139 Girls 93 Same weather is predicted for tommorow and thank goodness the 'high'has pushed off. Sat we can expect to be chilly! Team has opted for bed at 09h00! Rob Walker
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