Last week in Sheboygan, Wisconsin we had a two day clinic and a three day US Sailing Team qualifier. The first day of the clinic we did a lot of speed testing. On day two, we got back in to our match racing drills. Thanks to Dave Perry for running the clinic.
On the first day of the regatta, comprised of four teams, we were scheduled to complete two of the scheduled four round robins. Due to fog we were only able to get one of the rounds completed. We won all three of our races. Day two again began with fog. It was decided that we would drop the fourth round robin and begin with the semi finals. We completed the round robins undefeated and selected the fourth seed Becca Dellenbaugh in the semi finals, first to two points. We won the series to advance to the finals against Anna Tunnicliffe.
The first to two points finals were sailed in 25+ knots and five-foot waves. We had some pre race issues that resulted in our boat being full of water. We were pressed for time and unable to get all of our pre race homework completed. In race one, we started behind and could not catch up.
In race two, we got far away from the line and were both very late to the start, with us behind. There was a lot to be gained and lost in the waves. At the windward mark we were within one length of her. Neither one of us set a spinnaker, due to the wind and waves. After the leeward mark, we surfed in on a wave and were able to get into leeward of her and force her to tack. From there, we extended our lead. We did not set a spinnaker, when she rounded she set, so we matched. She then attempted to gybe and broached. We took our spinnaker down and finished the race.
Race three was winner take all. Once again, we got very far away from the line and were both late to the start, with us later than Anna. On the last downwind, we rounded about four lengths behind. We set our spinnaker, and Anna set hers. As soon as ours filled, it exploded! We took ours down, at least what was left of it and Anna matched our spinnaker drop. Anna’s take down did not go as smoothly as ours and her sheet went under the bow. We caught some good waves and were right behind her. We matched her gybe, and caught a big wave and were able to sail lower and overlap her from astern within about ten boat lengths to the finish line. We surfed into a significant overlap and gybed for the finish clear ahead of her. We crossed the line and won the race and the regatta. It was a great finish for us and we are very happy with how we were able to come back in this hard fought series.
This win qualifies us for an entry to Sail for Gold World Cup event in Weymouth early June, and the Olympic Test Event in August also in Weymouth, England. Check out our schedule for more details!
We would like to thank the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics and our coach Dave Perry for all their support.
Check out the latest Match Race Rankings: www.sailing.org/worldcup/news/35874.php
