Monday, January 11, 2010

USSTAG Qualifier, Day 3: We Finished In First Place


Enjoying A Downwind Moment Photo: copyright, John Payne
January 10, 2010
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

After three postponements this morning, racing was finally cancelled at 11:30am on Day Three of the USSTAG Qualifier owing to the windchill lingering in the low 20’s. After lengthy deliberations, the organizing authority didn’t think it would be safe for competitors, umpires and themselves to be on the water getting wet and cold, given that the temperatures were so cold and the winds were in the low 20’s.

That being said, it meant that the results from the double round robin series were the final results, which meant that we won the event. As a team we were thrilled. We would have loved to have raced today, but we were also very pleased that we didn’t have to go out on the water and freeze.

There was quite a bit of pressure on us going into this event, as it was a qualifier for many international events. Firstly, in order for us to be allowed to sail in the upcoming Rolex Miami OCR Regatta, we had to finish top three. After that, this qualifier determined who got to sail which ISAF World Cup events through the end of June. With this win, we get first priority on all events; we are happy that we can now plan the World Cup events into our schedule.

Molly went home tonight. Debbie is meeting with her trainer tomorrow in Miami, and then heading home for a week's rest before we all come back next Monday to start training for the OCR event. We are very pleased with how we worked together this week; our team work was good and our attitudes/focus stayed pretty level under pressure, given that our mornings, especially yesterday morning, weren’t very smooth. (We locked our extra gear and food in the car along with our keys). We were able to put these things aside, get out on the water and do what we had to do, which was to win our first five races of the round robin.

This week, I am planning on working out, and doing a bit of Laser sailing as cross-training. Luckily, the temperatures are on the rise after today so sailing will be a bit more pleasant.

The final results can be seen by clicking US Woman's Match Race Qualifier.

I would like to thank Carmeuse for their continued support of our campaign for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England. I would also like to thank USSTAG for their support.

Sail Hard,
Anna