We have just finished up the Olympic Test Event, also known as the Weymouth and Portland International Regatta. This regatta was different from our world cup events because there were only twelve teams, so we were not seeded into groups. Instead we did a full round robin over three days. We finished the round robin at 7-4. That put us sixth going into the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, we were seeded against Mandy Mulder and her team from Holland, in the first to three point series. We took an early 2-0 lead and then stumbled on the last downwind legs of the next two races allowing her to even up the score 2-2. In the fifth and final match, we got a penalty in the prestart. We led her off the line and held her well past layline. We realized we did not have enough space to complete our penalty, so we continued racing. On the next upwind leg, we had gained a little more and thought about spinning at the windward mark. Sally was all for it but the wise Elizabeth and Alana would not allow it. We instead drew her in downwind and we were able to come at her on starboard tack and do our penalty. She was initially ahead of us but on the long starboard gybe to the finish we were able to roll her and reached to the finish.
In the semi finals we faced Silja Lehtinen and her Finnish team. The semi final was sailed in very puffy and shifty conditions. We struggled figuring out the conditions and lost the series 0-3. Then the same day we sailed in the petit finals to decide third and fourth place. We were matched up against Claire Leroy from France. In the first race, we were behind matched her gybe and rolled her and became clear ahead. She then coming from clear astern of us tried to luff us. She received a penalty. She then again tried to luff us and we were in the 2-length zone to the pin and she received another penalty. So we had a 1-0 lead. In race 2, on the first beat she received a penalty for tacking to close. We stayed 2 lengths behind to make it difficult for her to spin and win. She took her penalty at the second windward mark. After completing her penalty we were ahead and defended our lead to the finish. In the third race, we took the left side of the course. We had a very tight cross about halfway up the leg to take the right and then we able to defend our lead from there. With that win we won the bronze medal.
The best part about winning the bronze medal was having our entire US team come down to the dock and celebrate with us. At this event there is only one entry per class per country. So, the US Sailing team consists of sixteen sailors and about fifteen support stuff including coaches, team leader, PR, chef, trainers and a few more. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Test Event.
Thanks to our coach Dave Perry, the entire US Sailing Team Alphagraphics support staff, and our wonderful roommate's, Paige Railey, Katie Kelly and Dana Paxton.
-Alana
