annatunnicliffe.com - A Second Place in Big Seas

A Second Place in Big Seas

Newport, RI
October 12, 2007

I had an unplanned opportunity to hone my overtaking skills today at the US Sailing Olympic Selection Trials for the Laser Radial Class and sailed a good race in threatening conditions to finish second, behind Paige Railey.

Checking conditions before the start - - - Photo: Mitch Brindley

I had to play catch-up because my start was almost too good as I blasted off the line. The Race Committee signaled that someone was over early. I could risk continuing with the possibility that I’d learn after finishing that I was OCS or I could go back and restart and lose places. I did the conservative thing and went back, although it cost me about ten boat lengths. And, guess what. After the race I learned my start had been OK and the signal was intended for another sailor.

Conditions were pretty dramatic for racing today. Dark threatening storm clouds ahead of a predicted cold front, and huge eight-foot waves with a shot chop on top. The waves were awesome. Unfortunately the waves were skewed to the wind so the runs weren’t as much fun as they might have been. We started in a southwesterly at around 13-14 knots and the wind built in strength throughout the race. It was around 17-18 knots at the finish and swung to the northwest on our last leg. The forecast had warned of squalls to 35 knots later in the day so the Race Committee wisely called things off after that.

I had tacked out to port after restarting and was able to concentrate on regaining ground. Paige was first at the weather mark and by then I’d pulled back to second place, two or three boat lengths behind her. As the first boat around the mark she was able to pull away from me on the reaching leg and hold that gain for the next run and the second windward. However on the last run I caught up a lot to get back within two boat lengths at the second leeward mark. I did a good job of catching up and I’m very happy with my speed in those conditions. I just ran out of race course, really.

The scores for the top five placers are: 1. Anna Tunnicliffe, 14 points; 2. Paige Railey, 18; 3. Sarah Lihan, 31; 4. Anne Haeger, 55; Katie Maxim, 55.

Tomorrow the Race Committee is planning three races and the forecasters are calling for a westerly breeze around 11-16 knots, dropping off to ten knots later in the day. On Sunday it will be more northwest, but also at around 11-16. It looks as if we’ll be able to complete the full 16 races in this series.

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.

Sail hard,
Anna

Team Member