British Team at the IFDS Blind Match Racing Championships - Overall
by Lucy Hodges 17 Sep 2014 13:26 BST
9-14 September 2014
Great Britain take Gold in Cat 2 and Australia Gold in Cat 1
All teams where set for another full day of racing in Sheboygan with both Australia and Great Britain through to their respective finals. The winds where up to 12-15 knots for the last day of racing but some big shifts from left to right would make it tricky.
The race team were quickly through the semi finals seeing Italy progress through in both Categories.
The first final saw GBR against Italy and it was first to three.
After a clean sweep GBR where confident, but knew Italy would be strong at the start. Lucy had to ensure they didn't get hooked by Italy, with Liam communicating where Italy were at all times and then Lucy communicating to Vicki on the helm the team tried to keep away, but Italy engaged with GBR straight away, seeing both teams spin away from penalties, but it was Italy that that chased down GBR with 30 seconds to go. With stronger breeze and a shorter line GBR were OCS. With a quick duck back across the line GBR were back beating up the course. Both boats had good boat speed but with GBR catching the shifts and staying on the breeze saw them pass on the last beat and finish with a 10 boat length lead.
It was straight into the next two races of the final. Again Italy where quick to engage and pushed GBR. Another two challenging starts saw GBR start behind but, as they had all week, they used their speed and awareness of the shifts to gain two more wins and become World Blind Match Racing Champions.
Coach Ian Shirra said, "It has been a great week of racing I am very proud of the team and the skills they showed out on the water. It was a tough final with three interesting starts, I think Lucy was testing how much stress I can handle, but I'm very proud of the team."
Australia too became World Champions in Cat 1. They have been battling against Italy now for a few years but with coach a Justin Kelleher devoting each week to training they achieved there goal only losing one race to Italy. Again the training and awareness of wind shifts and key trimming of sails to the changes in conditions gave Australia a great win.
Once again Great Britain would like to thank all there supporters and sponsors; Optimum Time, Zhik, North Face, Oceanair and EASST and the Lions.