July 3, 2009
Lanzarote World Cup
Windy Windy!!!
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Wow today was a windy day here in Costa Teguise. I spent all day on my 3.8 overpowered avoiding getting worked by mast high waves. I even had a heat where I was washed two seperate times in just 6 minutes. Check out some photos from the action on the side and quotes from the PWA live ticker below.
Here is a quick summary of what's been happening for me at the event so far.
In the first single elimination I advanced through my first round heat against Martin Van Ochten from Holland, but then got knocked out by Kiri Thode from Bonaire in the 2nd round. In the double elimination I lost my first heat to Quincy Offringa from Aruba. So my result for the first double elimination is 17th.
In the 2nd elimination my first round heat was against Mattia Pedrani from Italy. I knocked him out then came up against the local Lanzarote sailor Antxon Otaegui who knocked me out. In the double elimination I was up against Levi Lenz from Brazil who I knocked out, but then was eliminated by Andy Chambers from England which left me in 13th position for the 2nd double elimination.
We started the third elimination today. Again I sailed against the Aruban Quincy Offringa, but this time got the better of him and advanced. Now I am up against Kiri Thode early in the morning tomorrow. If we manage to finish this 3rd double elimination then we can discard our worse result.
In terms of the wind today, I will post up some quotes from the PWA live ticker off their website:
0900 - Once again, the conditions look incredible. The sailors will need their smallest gear today, as the wind is already reaching 30 knots.
10.30 - Welcome back. As it stands, there is a minor delay as the race boats struggle to set the course in the punishing conditions. It is so windy that the huge anchors on the buoys are not enough to hold them in place, as they continue to blow down wind.
10.41 - A huge gust has just blown through the event site, flattening the two sailors, and crumpling the back wall of the judges office. The sailors continue to battle, as the judges clamber out of their container that looks like it is about to collapse under the tempestuos wind.
11.00 - The event has been put on stand by until 11.30 whilst the crew battle the elements to try and secure the site. The judges tower has been devastated by the wind, and the safety crew cannot moor the 25ft rib.
The event will be on stand by until the competitor's safety can be guaranteed. We will keep you up to date.
11.30 - With conditions intensifying, the most recent update is for a first possible start at 12.30