annatunnicliffe.com - Musical Chairs

Musical Chairs – But Still in Front

Newport, RI
October 9, 2007

There is plenty to talk about here on Day Four of the US Sailing Olympic Selection Trials for the Laser Radial Class. Racing in the mouth of the Sakonnet River in a shifty, puffy 12-14 knot northeast breeze, the competition got pretty intense and the on-water judges imposed their first Radial fleet yellow flag penalty of the series. I had to complete two penalty turns after I was flagged for pumping while overtaking Paige Railey in the second race but I was able to fight my way back and win.

Checking in with the judges after my yellow flag - - - Photo: Mitch Brindley

In the first race of the day, Sarah Lihan led almost from start to finish. Paige and I sailed our own little race and our spirited tacking duel on the second leg gave Sarah the opportunity to sail a more direct course and finish comfortably in front.

We’ve reached the halfway point in the regatta and the opportunity to discard our worst score. Paige and I each dropped a third place and I now lead, with eight points. Paige is second with 13 points. Sarah is third with 24.

Looking back on today’s events, I deserved the yellow flag but I’m really pleased at some of my tactical moves today. My boat speed was good, especially on the short reaches. I’ve still got stuff to work on though.

In the first race, I got rolled at the start, tacked clear, but missed a couple of shifts. At the top mark, Sarah led, Paige was second, Katie Maxim was third and I was fourth. I caught Katie on the reach and then Paige and I overtook Sarah on the run. I chased Paige around the bottom mark and then we took of on our own lively one-on-one tacking duel out on the left-hand side of the course. I eventually got past Paige but Sarah sailed a more direct course and comfortably won this one. I was second and Paige third.

Off Sakonnet Point Light

Our second race was one to remember. Paige won the start and had a handy lead at the weather mark but I overtook her on the run before the judges yellow-flagged me. After my two penalty turns, I chased Paige down on the run to round the leeward mark just two boat lengths behind her. We got into a really good tacking duel on the beat but she still led round the last weather mark. I passed her again on the run but she had luffing rights and carried me out to the side of the course on a big reach until I was able to break the overlap. We duked it out from there. Paige kept attacking but there wasn’t enough race course left and I won that one.

Tomorrow’s our day off but I’m already checking the weather for Thursday which currently is predicted to offer modest northeast winds in the single digits to lower teens. Friday and Saturday seem likely to bring strong and blustery westerlies at times over 20 knots.

You can find Laser Radial Results on the web pages of Sail Newport, and every night I will have a report for you. I would like to thank my sponsors Carmeuse and K-Swiss for supporting my campaign for the Olympic Gold. My website is www.annatunnicliffe.com.

Sail hard,

Anna

Team Member