Tough week at Sail for Gold
Written by Paul Goodison | 17 August 2010
After a physical week of racing and a final day of 3, 1 on the score board it all came down to the medal race.
Going in to the medal race it was a straight scrap for 1st and second overall with Tom Slingsby as we were well clear of the rest of the fleet. After circling around the committee boat pre start I took a penalty and then gave Tom a penalty with 18 seconds to go.
With Tom left circling I reached off to towards the pin for a clean start. Unfortunately the first shift was right meaning the boats to the right made the first jump leading to a tacking duel. After lots of tacks I ducked Tom on starboard, he then tacked real close to windward, I got slightly bow forward and then luffed with Tom failing to keep clear. After protest flags flew and the jury were left to decide. Unfortunately I was penalised, I couldn’t believe the decision they came to!!!?
After taking my penalty the race was all but over. After a tough week I was a little disappointed with second,
Tom was fortunate to protest his way out of a OCS from race 6 which would have left me 12 points clear overall.
Looking forward I will be defending my world title in Hayling Island in two weeks time. Im off to Hayling for a couple of days training this week and some more next week before we get started.
Paul