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Day 5: the wind conditions were today so difficult that the race committee gave up after one abandoned race + one race. The wind shifts varied from 40 to 120 degrees! Real weird, the air temperature differences were really huge under dark clouds passing by. This explains a really unstable atmosphere.
With equal points and just one race to go, it was only between Damien Seguin (FRA) and myself, which one of us would pass the finish line first. Damien finally won the race, I think mostly due to better boat handling, especially downwind. I finished second. For the track and tracing of the race, see link
Sail for Gold was the last of the seven ISAF World Cup’s, that started for me in Miami with Silver in January. After the Princes Sofia Cup (Gold) in Palma de Mallorca, the Semaine Olympique Francaise (Silver) in Hyères, the Delta Lloyd regatta (Silver) in Medemblik, the Kielerwoche (Bronze) and Sail for Gold (Silver) in Weymouth, I win the overall ranking of the ISAF World Cup 2010. Paul Tingley (CAN), Gold medallist in Beijing 2008 takes Silver and Barend Kol (NED), my sparring partner takes Bronze.
In combination with my first place at the IFDS Worlds (paralympic classes World championship), I can be satisfied of my 2010 season; even if I want to sail the 2.4mR Open Worlds in Hoorn, the Netherlands, end of September and of course win ;-)

_{Photo: World Wide Images}
For all results, see: www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk/news/_992/latest_results
                  

Day 4: it is still very close and exciting in the 2.4mR!
Damien Seguin (FRA) first, 11 points
Thierry Schmitter (NED) second, 11 points

And this after 4 days of racing and 6 races (incl. one discard). We still have two races tomorrow.

A difficult day today, enough wind (12-15 knots) but a lot of chop from all directions presumably due to the traffic along our race course of all other classes going to their respective courses. The wind was also not easy to guess, at the beginning of the day there was more pressure on the left side of the course, but later it shifted to the right, what made it difficult to make strategic decisions. The first race went just ok, despite a few tactical mistakes. I finished just 20cm ahead of Damien. During the second race, Damien and I came again together at the first upwind mark, Damien starboard tack and me on port. I couldn't duck under him within the zone, which resulted in a protest. After I turned a 720, I could just follow and pass the finishing line in fifth position. Megan Pascoe (GBR) won the race and Damien finished second.

_{Photo: World Wide Images}

              

Day 2: there was wind forecasted, and we got wind, and a lot of rain. But the day started with a postponement due to lack of wind when we were already on the water. A weather front was awaited for the end of the day, but suddenly the wind picked up from the left after half an hour waiting. During the last upwind leg of the first race the wind turned back to the right and increased to 25-30 knots. The 2.4mR becomes more a washing machine than a sailing boat in those conditions, especially upwind. The fun is not less therefore, surfing downwind, the 2.4mR is just for a while a surfboard. With a 1 and a 2, and Damien Seguin (FRA) with a 2 and a 1, we are equal points after two days racing. Barend is steady in a third place.

_{photo: Thom Touw}

           

Day 1: finally a World Cup event with some wind at day 1. The Sonar’s and the Skud’s start in the morning and we, the 2.4mR’s start in the afternoon on the same course. Quiet relax to start at 13.30. With a bullet and a 3rd place today, it is a good start of the week. Due to a broken wang fitting, Barend just passed me on the finishing line of the second race. Damien Seguin (FRA) seems to have also more fun in windy conditions; he scores a 1 and a 2 today. Barend scores a 3 and a 2. The coach can be satisfied today.

_{Photo: Richard Langdon}

                

The last en seventh event of the ISAF World Cup. After the highlight of the season, the IFDS Worlds, the pressure is a little off. Nevertheless, Weymouth is the Olympic and Paralympic water of the Games of 2012. This motivates me to perform well. And the overall ranking of the World Cup will be decided and I am in a position to win the overall ranking. In other words, these are al ingredients that feed my hunger to win!

Event website: www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk