Sunday, August 5, 2007

Kiwis Show Solid Form.

A great day on the water for the Kiwi Volvo Ocean race team. With some great starts and solid positioning we strung a score line of 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 7 together to be second equal for the days racing.

A broken furler line cost another win for the Rookie team who are at day 4 of sailing the Extreme 40. Like any boat team work and cordination is key. We stepped up to the game today" we are now sailing like we need to. Looking forward to day 3 with the double points for the final race and good chance of a podium finish.

Stay tuned.

Friday, August 3, 2007

The Extreme 40 is Action Action Action.

WOW,

Bring it on. Racing just off the green in Cowes, beating up the shore to stay out of the current, a jibe set at the top mark so not to run aground, throw 8 boats at it, 12 -16 knots and you have plenty on. These boats require great team work. It's a case of you never stop running especially as the races are so short. A little mistake is so costly.

All in all we had a great day. A few little mistakes around the course cost us about 5 points at the end of the day. We feel a little out shape compared to the other teams as they have a few more races and some training under there belts, but we acquitted our selves well. Looking forward to the next races.

We had 2 4ths, 2 5ths and a 7th where we caught the bottom mark and had to do a 360 penalty. Over all we are in 5th.

Stay tuned.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Ready for Action.

We are in Cowes and ready for the start of the iShares Cup.

We have had 2 full days on the water, coming to grips with how the Extreme 40 needs to be set up and sailed. Our boat was rigged and ready to sail from Hamble. On launching the boat we towed out into the Solent and hoisted, sailing into a building breeze of 8-10 knots. Quickly and easily flying a hull we were off, Andy and Ryan were impressed. So this is what you were raving about.

With a little bit of straight lining we threw a few maneuvers in. "Oh" we need a bit of work on them. After about 50 tacks,jibes, hoists and drops we all know what we are doing we and had it down pat by the end of our first day.

With a little bit boat work and some press with BBC 1 and Ellen McAurther on our boat we got in to another day of sailing. Not such great conditions, rain not to un common in England and a light breeze.

Ready of not we have done as much as we can and are all excited to get into it. Not a lot of breeze forecast but 10 knots should see some great racing.

Stay tuned.