ICSA
- SOF Hyeres: Final 470 Report
Hello
Race Fans,
Sorry
about the late and brief update, but it has been
very hectic here in France.
Day
five was a blowout. Winds were in the 25-40 knot
range all day and everyone went shopping. Katie
flew home early in the morning to get the best
treatment possible for her back, leaving the guys
to hold down the fort.
Going
into the final day Paul and Kevin stood 14th with
all kinds of potential to move up. The forecast
was the same direction as days 4 and 5, but with
manageable velocity. Unfortunately, there was
none. We waited a short time before being sent
out with dim prospects for racing, but the forecast
breeze eventually limped in a threshold velocity
and we were into race mode. The breeze was trending
left through two recalls. Going into the third
start the right was beginning to look better,
but Paul and Kevin ended up on the left side of
the fleet and found themselves outside of a 30
degree lift. It was ugly. Three from last was
my count.
Four
boats got away with the rest converging at the
leeward mark almost simultaneously. Paul and Kevin
were still near the rear coming in and did a great
job of avoiding the snarl and exited the mark
still deep, but able to tack and clear, which
they did. Almost everyone was thinking progressive
right shift and went that way. The shift was left
and pretty big and suddenly Paul and Kevin were
7th at the top. They sailed a great run, moved
into 6th, then rolled one more on the reach to
finish a beautiful 5th.
The
breeze was improving and there was time for one
more race. Paul and Kevin got a great start mid
line, held their lane to the favored left, and
rounded third at the top. On the second beat they
outfoxed the second place boat and briefly challenged
for first to round second and held this position
to the finish. 5,2 was best for the day and Paul
and Kevin moved all the way to 5th overall for
a great finish.
Katie
is back at home getting terrific treatment for
her back. Paul and Kevin fly home for a few days.
Isabelle and I hit the road tomorrow bound for
Zadar, Croatia via a cross Adriatic ferry from
Ancona, Italy. The World Championships begin on
May 10th and we will be up and running in Zadar
from the 5th.
More
later.
Rollin
"Skip" Whyte
US
Sailing Team
