1998 World Master Games (Portland, USA)

by Doug

These are my Worlds race journals.  I send daily updates home to friends during the events and often receive good advice each day but I also find them to be a useful analysis tool when preparing for the next event.  I’m making them public in the event others might learn something from them.

The setting:

The Gorge, said to be one of the windiest places on earth.

Anticipated conditions:

Very strong winds. When I talked to a friend about the location of the series, he said “You’re sailing in the Gorge? Wow!”

Initial impressions from training

8-8: The day we arrived, the Melges 24’s had a race and were ‘blown off the water’. Only 3e boats finished. Broken keels and masts. One of the locals said ‘it has been blowing a bit more than usual.’

8-9: High winds (30) with sudden shifts, 2 foot choppy waves building from Cascade Locks 2 miles upstream. The local windsurfers said it was a ‘top 5’ day (assumed this meant windy). Borrowed a Laser to go for a 2 hour sail with Mike, and got beaten rather badly by him. He was pointing much higher than me and told me when we came in that my vang was too loose. I also had trouble seeing the waves in starboard tack going downwind, which made catching them and jibing guesswork. Tipping is extra tough because the boat drifts downwind and you have to flip it to get the rig downwind to get going again. Good news: the water is not nearly as cold as expected. Went into Portland watching the opening ceremonies of the Games with 12,000 other athletes.

8-10: High winds (25-30). Went 20 miles upstream to Hood River to sail my charter boat. Passed a place called Swell City, where I watched about 100 windsurfers jumping 6’ waves. Some were doing 360 degree flips (horizontal and vertical) while others just tore across the river at about 30 knots. Insane. I sailed nearby in waves going straight upstream against a 4 knot current. Wore regular glasses instead of sunglasses and could see the waves much better. Felt very good after 2 hours of training.

8-11: A rest day. Figure that the key to winning this event is going to be (1) in a breeze, great upwind speed and not tipping at the jibe mark and (2) in less breeze, great downwind speed into the current. Have a feeling that there is going to be a lot of really good heavy-weather speed in this series. I’m at a 20-year high 185 pounds and will need every bit of it.

8-12: After a day of running around to get my charter boat ready, sailed in the late afternoon in a gentle 8-15 knot breeze. With the current going against the wind, there are what appear to be standing wave sets, like those you see in rapids. These are easy to catch downwind but don’t really move you forward. My practice boat must weigh 160 pounds and feels like one of the Colombian River barges you see in the windsurfing videos. Hope my Laser arrives from Dallas soon. After a total of 6 hours of on-the-water practice, am surprised that no one else has shown up yet.

8-13: Winds from 10-20. My Kiwi boat arrived, went out with a very old sail and tuned with Eric Faust and Fred Schroth from Austin. Upwind speed was mediocre and had trouble pointing. Speed difference between the boats was minimal. Downwind speed was good on the run, mainly by going around waves instead of trying to climb over them. Measuring the current and wind lanes was inconclusive - the north shore appears to be faster but erratic. Did not take out a compass and was unable to work the 10-20 degree shifts. Conditioning was good after another 2.5 hours on the water.

8-14: Winds from 20-30. Went for a 2 hour sail with former NA Champ Peter Branning. Had problems with the rudder stalling when at high-speed. Upwind speed was good as was my conditioning.

8-15: Winds 15-20 for a practice regatta using a windward/leeward course.

Race 1:

65 boats entered. Felt unfamiliar on the starting line and realized that this was my first actual race in 8 weeks. Started at the boat and had to tack under several boats that had started at the pin and tacked. Crummy start. Pointing was still a problem (still using my old sail), and footed on port tack with very good speed. The lead boat was Coutts of NZ who missed the offset mark and then quit. Was in the lead and got good separation on the run. Coasted to a 30-second victory.

Race 2:

Mid-line start without much speed, had to tack just before getting rolled. Followed Joe Van Rossem on port and then tacked as he was pointing higher. Played the middle right and missed the shifts on the right. Rounded 6^th. Went behind and then below the leaders who had bunched up. Robin Coutts of NZ shot off sailing by the lee and looked vary fast. Was caught at the bottom mark. Sailed for most of the next leg with him with good speed. Would have rounded 2^nd at the next windward mark, but felt that 3 hours was enough for the day.

Problem #1: Was beaten in each race by a faster boat. Hope it’s the sail.

Problem #2: Was playing the shifts by feel and not the compass. Need to get this working!

8-16:  Winds 12-15

Practice race 1:

Port approach and tacked at the pin for a perfect start. Forced out to the left with 2 others as the fleet went right. Rounded 5^th. Went low and then high to pass 3 and rounded 2^nd at the jibe mark. Held off Olympic Gold medalist Gaston Brun from Brazil and started the 2^nd beat a close 2^nd. First 3 had a good lead and we stayed close. Rounded 1^st as the other 2 below tacked below and then behind me as I was carried by the current to the mark. Got good separation on the run and then lost track of Brazil - he was directly to windward. Carved but he pulled even. Tried to stay to windward, but he lead by 2 seconds at the bottom mark. Tried to catch him upwind but he stretched to 5 seconds, then I caught a shift at the end and finished 2 seconds behind him.

Expected competition

Unlike the Worlds where the very best of the best show up, this event will be made up lots of people with great speed and nothing to loose. 65 boats entered, one start for everyone.

Strategy:

The practice races have had a pin-favored start, and the boats at the pin immediately tack onto port to go to the presumed starboard-favored side of the course. I need a clean start near the pin but, more importantly, room to tack. I then need my port-tack speed to stay with the leaders and get a top 5 position at the first mark. Downwind speed and endurance will then be needed to get a top-3 finish. The person to cover in a breeze is Rob Coutts. The person to cover for the series is Brun from Brazil.

The strategy I used in Chile will not work (where I covered 6-time World Champion Keith Wilkins). The key will be staying with the fleet and waiting for others to make mistakes. I expect the first beat to be very close. The fleet may not spread out as usual on the downwind legs because we will be going against the strong current, so breaking free will be harder. Should be very interesting…

Why the detailed notes?

The only advantage really experienced sailors have is what they learn from previous events. To overcome this disadvantage, I record and study the few international races I go to. These are my notes that I am e-mailing back to friends in the US each day.

Day 1 (Aug 17) strong wind (20-30 knots), 3 foot waves.

Race 1

Started 5 from the committee boat, was in the final stage of rolling Brun when there was a general recall. Started two up from the pin (Brun at the pin) but lost track of the time and was in the second row. He punched out and was able to tack after 2 minutes, I had to go further left than preferred. Missed a nice lift on the right. When we converged at the first mark, was in 5^th place. Did not power-up on the reaches - felt a little intimidated by the wind strength. On the final beat, went left and got a huge lift to move into 2^nd by the finish. Brun won easily. Race duration: 70 minutes.

Race 2

Started at the boat but drifted down, permitting Fred Schroth to slip in. At 210 pounds, he rolled me as I was being pinched off by the boat to lee. Tacked to go right which had paid in the first race and was very surprised to see most of the fleet going left. When they tacked, they were on a long port-tack lift. Came in on a big header. Rounded 13^th. Passed 2 on the reaches and a few more on the next beat. Tacking onto the lay line, got stuck below the boom and tipped. Lost about 30 seconds and another 2 places. On the run, seemed to be in a fog (and hole) as my group got away. On the final beat, played the shifts to the left-side of the course and caught a few boats. Finished 6^th. Horrible race. Duration: 70 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• Two bad starts, both because I misjudged the time.
• In the second race, did not go with the fleet to the left - should have had more confidence in my speed.
• Not aggressive on the runs, did not look for holes.
• Rudder bolt loosened, had to keep tightening it by hand in the second race.

What worked:

• Good speed when not sailing in a fog.
• Very fortunate with the shifts on the final beats.
• The compass worked well, but missed being on the proper side of the course.

Day 2 (Aug 18) strong wind (15-20 knots), 2 foot waves.

Race 3

Started at the committee boat, tacked along the right shore, got a nice lift but boats from the left got to the mark first. Rounded 4^th. The 3 in front went high in a tight group, so I went low. Caught one, but was passed by Coutts. On the next broad reach, went high into the passing lane to move into 1^st by playing the waves. Had really powered up to play the waves (something I had not done on day 1). Mark Bear followed, then Coutts. Put a loose cover as we went right. By the end of the beat, was still in 1^st with Coutts 5 seconds back. He carved all over the place while I focused on accelerating straight down the waves more. Still led by 5 seconds at the bottom mark. The right gate was really favored, so we both took it and went left. Applied a tight cover. Rob is a heavy-weather specialist (won both heavy air races at the Worlds in Chile) and has the exact opposite movement to mine in the waves. Going over a crest, he pushes the boat down by moving forward. I jerk back to enable a soft landing. Boat speed surprisingly similar for two completely different styles. Won by 5 seconds. Race duration: 60 minutes.

Rage 4

Started at the committee boat again with Fred Schroth just below. We sailed off to the left, him footing and me pointing higher. Coming in on port, we were on a big header and then lift - had overshot the mark by 100 yards. Rounded 3^rd just behind Brun. At the jibe mark, he tipped and I moved up to Mark to share the lead. Mark caught a few big waves and moved ahead by the bottom mark. Rounded 2^nd ahead of Brun, who I covered as we went right. He was obviously covering me from behind and studying me. After a few tacks decided to apply a tight cover on port tack. He footed free and moved up, tacked, and got me on starboard. No one at the Worlds in Chile was able to do that. Very, very fast. Does not move around much in the waves, but is very fast. At the top mark, he rounded 3 seconds ahead of me. He had trouble bearing off, and I passed him. On the run, he passed me again, I tried to blanket but he moved to the left and then right to stay in clear air. Very well done. He was 5 seconds ahead at the bottom gate and rounded to go left. I decided to go the other way to get some clear air. Left paid. When we converged, he was 100’ in front. With one more race, a safe 3^rd place, and with my shoulder starting to affect my performance, decided to relax for the rest of the race. Was surprised how not hiking did not affect my boat speed very much. Brun powered his way into 1^st place ahead of Mark. I regret not splitting tacks to see if I could have beaten both of them. Brun sailed a fine race and deserved his 1^st place. Race duration: 60 minutes.

Race 5

Line biased and started at the committee boat. Lucky to get away cleanly from a bunch of boats battling the waves and current. General recall. Pin was moved forward and wind shifted, making the pin favored. Moved down the line and then way past the pin to hide from the fleet. With 20 seconds to go, approached on port with another boat and sailed through a huge hole. The other boat was 3 boat lengths in front (and one boat length over). Crossed the fleet, most of it by 100’. On a long port tack, watched Brun on the right shore ahead. He crossed me as I continued to go right. Overshot the mark (current), Brun nailed the lay line and we converged, him getting room at the mark. Rounded 4^th. Like the previous race, he rounded wide and I moved inside. Again, he worked the waves better to move ahead. He rounded and went middle left, I went right. Brun on port seemed to be headed, I did not look at the other side of the course to check things out. When we converged, I was 2 boat lengths ahead. However, 4 boats were way on the left shore so far ahead I thought they were on the previous lap (they later described a huge port-tack lift that lasted most of the beat - one even said he felt sorry for us sailing in the wrong direction not seeing it). Held on to beat Brun by 5 seconds despite a cramp in my calf for the last minute. Brun slipped from 3^rd to 6^th. I salvaged a 5^th. Race duration: 55 minutes.

Mistakes made

• Missed a huge shift in the last beat of the middle race. After the race, Rob Coutts told me several signs that made it obvious to him which way to go, including a late downwind shift, wind patterns on the water, etc. I missed all of them.
• For the first time in a long time, am being beaten upwind on boat speed alone.
• Still seem to be in react mode for playing the shifts - have no game-plan that I can rely on.

What worked

• Sailed a good first race - was great to feel in control.
• Good starts. Even at the committee boat, people seem to be giving me room - holding back and starting in the second row. No one has challenged me. There are negatives to being the world champion (extra pressure), but I’ll gratefully accept this new-found respect.
• Good reaching speed, getting beaten by Brun on the runs.
• Got through all 3 races with a really sore shoulder, despite having trouble holding onto the sheet.

Current standings

Brun now has 1,2,6,1,(6) and one point ahead of my 2,(6),1,3,5 with Rob Coutts 2 points back. Brun is very good and will be tough to beat. Upwind in a breeze, I might be able to stay with him. I’m faster on the reaches, he gets me on the runs. I cannot depend on playing shifts as no firm game plan has worked so far. After the sailing, Rob told me that he feels I’ll win this if no major mistakes are made. Not sure how I’ll do this. There’s a way, but have not figured it out yet. Someone told me Brun been training really hard and is using this event as a warm-up for the Worlds in Melbourne, so we’ve both got a lot to learn from each other. I’ve never considered myself to have top speed in a breeze, so being in contention in these conditions is a big plus. If we get to sail in my “zone” (8-12 knots), I’ll kill him.

Day 3 (Aug 20) medium building to strong winds (10-20 knots), 2 foot waves.

Race 6

Good start mid-line in a good hole and played the shifts in the middle. Good speed and height. Rounded first just in front of Ken Brown (CAN). Set up with maximum foot and slight vang, got 30 seconds separation on the reach, and then 1 minute on the bottom reach. Went right and then played the shifts as the fleet followed me. Still way ahead at the top mark. Had good pressure and played the waves well and led by 1 minute 53 seconds at the end of the run. Brun moved into 2^nd, so covered him on the final beat. Won by 1 minute, 35 seconds. Race duration: 1 hour.

Race 7

Good start near the pin with Brun at the pin, he tacked to cross and then tacked above me. With the wind picking up, he footed over me and I tacked and took a few sterns. At the mark, Dennis Clark led with Brun second, me third. In a hard gust, had trouble letting off my vang (was jammed) and was passed by the Aussie. 4^th at the jibe mark. On the bottom reach, moved back into 3^rd. Positions unchanged by the next windward mark as the first 3 stayed close together. On the run, Brun went left to sail by the lee and head inshore and out of the current. I stayed on the right of Clark and led by the bottom mark with Brun coming in third. I went right and Brun took the gate left. Stayed in close contact. When we crossed, I tacked to put on a close cover. He footed out, came up even, and tacked to get me on starboard. Rather than lee-bow him and risk being rolled, I ducked him to protect the right as we neared the finish line. We crossed again, both tacked, and on port, I would have had trouble clearing him. Decided to lee-bow him - a big mistake. Should have given up the 2 boat lengths to protect the right again and put the onus on him to clear me. On starboard, he rolled me, we had a brief tacking duel in big waves which he discontinued, and we headed for the finish line. Brun won by 5 seconds and pounded his deck with joy - something that surprised me. Race duration: 65 minutes.

Race 8

Start at the committee boat but was forced right. Left paid. Waited for a shift to get me back in the middle, but it never came. Was crossed by tons of boats and felt I was mid-fleet. Rounded in the high-teens. Caught a few on the run as I watched Brun in front. At the bottom of the run, had a very slow approach to the mark from being blanketed and rounded slowly. Should have gone for the left gate. By now, the fleet had really stretched out and was able to make up a few more places on each leg. Finished 8^th. Race duration: 60 minutes.

Mistakes

• Still being beaten in pure grinding upwind conditions. Brun weighs 195 pounds and is quick.
• Had trouble with my vang - should have loosened it before the top mark.
• Seemed to be in a fog for the third race and got separated from the pack, and paid dearly.

What worked

• Outstanding speed in the 8-12 knot breeze - wish we had more of it. Lots of foot on the reaches in similar conditions as Chile and really worked here as well. Was good to send a message to Brun about boat speed in conditions under 15 knots.

Current standings

With a 1,2,8, I drop my 8 and use my 6. Brun’s 2,1,1 put him 6 points in front with 2 more races to go. If the conditions are below 15, I know I can win.

Day 4 (Aug 21) strong winds (15-20 knots), 2 foot waves.

Race 9

Wanted to start at the committee boat, but several others were below me and were drifting upstream, making barging a possibility. Bailed and sailed below these boats, got in the first row, just down from the boat. With 10 seconds to go, Brun pulled the trigger and started early to round the committee boat. Was carried close to the line, so bore off and accelerated up with the gun. Had good speed and height going off to the left. Played the shifts on the left and rounded first just ahead of Dennis Clark. Positions unchanged on the reaches and was unable to stretch my slim lead as hoped. The race committee had the two marks for the gate set at the end of the bottom reach, and I was very confused about which to round (or should I sail between the two?). Decided to round both, Clark behind me rounded the left mark only. On the second beat, put a loose cover on Clark, but he caught up to me on a few shifts. Rounded the top mark just ahead. On the run, he played a lane just to the right of me and passed me. Was surprised - he’s heavier and this should not have happened. Felt that I was sailing uphill more than downhill. Clark took the right gate mark to go left, I did the opposite, then tacked onto port. He appeared to be well ahead. Worked hard to catch up - did not work. Finished 10 seconds behind him. Race duration: 60 minutes.

Was concerned about two things: was I over early in the current and had I rounded the bottom mark correctly? Went to the committee boat and was very disappointed to learn that I had in fact started too early. Had to count my 6 instead of my 2, Brun had to count his 6. Still 3 points back with one race to go. Brun sailed an unusually poor race by his standards. Another competitor said that he was obviously saving energy for the final race.

Race 10

Pin favored, started 10 up from the pin with Brun very close to the pin. He and I jumped out, him footing and me pointing higher. After a few minutes, he tacked but could not cross me, so ducked me and then tacked under a few boats to windward. He later tacked, I waited for a slight knock, then tacked onto a long port tack. At the first mark, Mike French rounded first, Brun crossed me on starboard, and I rounded 3^rd. French and Brun sailed high and approached the jibe mark at a bad angle in the current. I sailed lower and got room on both. On the next reach, sailed high to protect the passing lane. Brun followed and we fought it out 150 yards above the other boats. I eventually broke free by surfing directly downwind in a hole but with good waves. At the mark, had inside room on French and Dennis Clark who had caught up and rounded just ahead. The race committee had left in the second gate mark and Brun apparently took the right mark and rounded it. After about10 seconds, realizing his mistake, he returned and rounded the correct mark (I saw him coming back) - lost 5 places in the process. Put on a loose cover on Clark (wanted him to get well ahead of Brun) and kept slightly ahead (see note below about the setup). Rounded 10 seconds in front. On the run, stayed close to Clark and was able to keep in front. Coutts played the right and worked his way into 2^nd. Took the right gate with Coutts right behind me. Clark and Brun took the left gate to go inside. Worked to the middle left and then played to shifts. Won by 40 seconds with Coutts second. The right shore did not work, Clark finished 6 and Brun 7. To win the event, I needed one more master to finish 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th. Unfortunately, they were all apprentices, so I only gained 2 points on Brun. Race duration: 70 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• They say that if you do not OCS once in a while, you’re not aggressive enough at the starts. However, this OCS was totally avoidable. I misjudged the current.
• Dennis Clark is very fast upwind in a breeze. However, him passing me downwind was unacceptable. I seemed to be sailing uphill the entire leg.

What worked:

•  In the second race, had a very rare feeling that I also felt in Chile. Sailing on starboard, wearing boots (normally I sail barefoot), with my feet under the straps a certain way, with the pads of my hiking pants in the right place, with lots of cunningham and vang, fairly tight foot (more than usual), pinching slightly, and healing the boat a little more than normal, got into a “groove” that made the boat feel perfectly balanced, light, and comfortable. Hard to describe, but it’s extremely fast in a breeze with very little effort. Almost like sailing another boat with a remote control. After the race, continued to sail the 1.5 miles upwind to the beach the same way with little effort.
•  Felt really good after 2 hard races.

Final standings:

Brun won, I finished 2^nd one point back. The OCS in race 9 cost me the series. Also, at the closing ceremonies, Peter Branning, who was over early in the last race, said that Brun was also over early, but the committee did not get his number. While disappointed to be beaten by such a narrow margin, was satisfied with the results because (1) I never considered myself highly competitive in a breeze and (2) Brun was definitely faster for most of the series.

One final observation: the fleet usually has different starts by age category. For the first time in years, we sailed a major regatta together. In the physically demanding conditions, I would have expected the younger apprentices to dominate. The only apprentice to finish in the top 5 was Rob Coutts, who finished 3^rd. All else were masters.

1997 Laser Master World Championships (Algarrobo, Chile)

by Doug

These are my Worlds race journals.  I send daily updates home to friends during the events and often receive good advice each day but I also find them to be a useful analysis tool when preparing for the next event.  I’m making them public in the event others might learn something from them.

The setting:

Algarrobo, Chile. A small coastal town 50 miles west of Santiago. This is the first time Chile has hosted an Olympic class world championship. 43 competitors from 16 countries in the Master division.

Anticipated conditions:

Strong winds (70% of the time over 15 knots).

Wake-up call:

Competed in the 1997 North Americans and finished in the 50’s (totally out of shape, premature start in 3 races).

Defending world champion:

Keith Wilkins, has won it 5 times in a row. A superb sailor in all conditions (worst race in the 1996 world championships was a 2nd). Was Ben Ainslie's first coach. Also expected was Mark Bethwaite, former Soling and J24 World Champion and runner-up in Laser Masters in 1996.

Strategy:

Living in Dallas, where there is virtually no Laser sailing, I focused on off-the-water physical conditioning (and putting on 10 pounds). The game plan was to cover Wilkins and, if possible, out-grind him on the final beats. Arrived a week early to get used to the conditions and spent a total of 17 hours on-the water training. Did some great last-minute tuning with Ian Lineberger from Florida.

Course:

Trapezoid (windward, reach, run, reach) for two laps and then a windward finish. Three things make the sailing particularly difficult. Firstly, the large waves from the south-west are not at right-angles to the wind. On port, you go straight into them and on starboard, they roll under you. Secondly, the wind feels like it shifts left 10-15 degrees to the left at the top of each wave (actually, feel it’s the circular movement at the top of the wave that changes the apparent wind direction). On port, this permits you to punch your way over the wave and accelerate down the back - feels very fast. On starboard, it feels like the boat is being continuously headed - feels very slow. Thirdly, this is a left favored course. Way left. Two tacks. 11 races are scheduled over 6 days.

Why the detailed notes?

The only advantage really experienced sailors have is what they learn from previous events. To overcome this disadvantage, I record and study the few international races I go to. These are my notes that I am e-mailing back to friends in the US each day.

Day 1 (October 26) very light wind (5-8 knots), 4 foot waves.

Race 1

Worried - had not trained in any light conditions. Started in the middle in clear air (pin favored). Pointed well with good speed. Mark Bethwaite (son of Frank, older brother of Julian) at the pin shot off like a rocket. Was able to pinch off a very fast Barry Waller (AUS). Did not get too close to the left lay line (going too far looked crowded), stayed in a lane coming in on port and rounded a close 3rd. On the reach, the lead boat was really working the mainsheet which did not appear to work. Caught the other two at the next mark with buoy room. On the run, stayed inside and kept slightly ahead of Pieter Dekker (NED) and Keith Wilkins (GBR) who had passed several boats to move into 3rd. Started the bottom reach 3 seconds in front. On the second beat, Dekker immediately tacked onto starboard to go left and I covered loosely. As we went out to the left, either I had great height or Dekker was having problems because he ended 50 yards to below me - assumed he was out of it. Wilkins was now directly behind me, pointing well and going faster. Covered Wilkins but at the top mark, Dekker had worked his way back into the lead by sailing behind me and tacking away when I got headed (after the race, he told me he was surprised I was not watching him more). The positions remained unchanged on the reach and the first three boats bunched up at the bottom of the run. At the mark, Wilkins tried to dig above me to get inside room, I defended by going high, we jibed around and Dekker, I, and Wilkins rounded in a tight group. The positions remained the same on the reach and, to everyone’s surprise, the course was shortened at the bottom mark. Finished 2nd, 3 seconds behind Dekker, with Wilkins 3rd. Race duration: 90 minutes.

Race 2

Looked to be pin favored and there looked to be a hole at the pin. Bethwaite had another excellent pin start and shot off for the early lead. Started 3 up with OK speed but had trouble pointing. Drifted down and had to tack twice to get clear air (luckily, there was no one on my hip as everyone else was pointing higher). Continued with good speed on starboard in a narrow lane, but still could not point. Felt very nervous and wanted to get over to the right a little, so dug in on port and had to duck 4 or 5 boats. Figured I was toast as I tacked back onto starboard in another narrow lane. Those I ducked tacked when they reached the lay line and really hurt each other all the way to the top mark. On port, stayed in a narrow lane just below and rounded a close 2nd. On the reach, the boat in front went too low and got rolled. On the next leg, a run, planned to jibe and go high to protect, but changed my mind at the very last moment and sailed past the mark. The 5 boats right behind all jibed and stopped. Got good separation and led by 30 seconds at the end of the run. The next reach was uneventful and led by 45 seconds after the first lap. Tacked on starboard to cover the fleet going left. Had good speed but again could not point. Tacked twice to stay on top of the nearest boats. On the left lay line, covered the 4 boats immediately behind me and looked forward to a shortened course finish. Out of the blue, Ian Rawet (GBR) who had played the middle came in from the right. Probably would have not changed my game plan, but the right working surprised me. Had to settle for another second, 10 seconds back. Wilkins finished 11th and was not a factor in the race. Race duration: 60 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• Relied on the compass, which really did not work in the crazy conditions. Should have had my head out of the boat more.
• Did not get a good reading of the starting line, felt lucky to get one good and one OK start.
• Pointing for much of the day was a problem. The first person to get the rhythm of the waves and wind is going to win a bunch of races and maybe the series.
• Did not keep track of boats playing the right-side of the course.
• Really missed not having my light-air mainsheet!

What worked:

• I took out two sets of gear (light, heavy) and was happy to be able to shed most of my gear in the light but cold conditions. Many others later said they were overdressed.
• Pure boat speed conditions, footed well. Normally sail with no vang tension below 12 knots. Slight tension was needed because of the constant need to let the main out to keep powered up without the sail twisting. (The following day, Mark Bethwaite made the comment that my sail was different from everyone else in the fleet - more vang, boom way out. The sheeting out was to keep the boat moving but the vang bit really surprised me.)
• Avoided the port lay line (crowded and slow). The lane just below is better.
• I’m not convinced hard left is so favored. The course keeps the fleet nicely together, but in catch-up mode, the middle left might work.

Day 2 (October 27) moderate winds (12-18 knots), 8 foot rolling waves.

Race 3

Started mid-fleet in clear air. Looked below me and was surprised to see defending world champion Keith Wilkins to lee of me (so much for picking who you start beside!). About 2 minutes into the race I was in the final stages of rolling him (he would have had nowhere to go) when the race was scrubbed due to a drifting starting mark. Keith was very lucky to dodge that bullet!

The new line looked square but the pin end seemed more favorable. Mark Bethwaite again made another perfect pin-end start with me up on his hip. The entire fleet went left, with Mark and I punching out after about 5 minutes. When we got to the lay line, the fleet seemed to be headed. Mark tacked and would have crossed about 15 yards ahead of me. I tacked under him, hoping that my calculated port-tack speed into the waves would grind him down. This did not work because (1) he was faster and (2) we had overstood the mark (current I think). As a result, I sailed for several minutes in his dirty air. Mark rounded 30 seconds ahead. About 6-8 boats that had not overstood the line met me at the mark and I rounded just ahead of the crowd. In the rush, was unable to let off the outhaul for more power. By the end of the reach, had a 10 second buffer but was now 45 seconds behind Mark, who had caught a few big waves. On the run, cut this to 20 seconds and was disappointed that I had not been more aggressive in trying to catch him. The rest of the race was uneventful, coasted to the finish 30 seconds behind Mark, who looked very fast. Keith Wilkins made a remarkable recovery from somewhere deep to finish third. Race duration: 60 minutes.

Race 4:

Another carbon copy start with Mark two up from the pin and me again on his hip (this made it 5 textbook-perfect pin-end starts for Mark). This time, we did not punch out. Instead, the fleet behind us started to lift as we approached the lay line. In particular, there was one boat ahead, a slight gap, and then Wilkins. I decided to tack to try to sail between the two, but was unable to. Keith tacked in front of me to cover and the boat ahead of him tacked on top, boxing me in. Several other boats joined the parade and the group of us spent the long port-tack back to the mark pinching each other to death. At the mark, a line of starboard boats (that had played the middle) meant that there was no room to round. I ducked about 4 more boats, overshot the mark (just in case), and tacked. Wilkins rounded 12^th, I rounded 16^th. Powered up, sailed low, and caught a few boats on the reach. On the run, sailed past the mark, stayed right and caught another few. At the end of the first lap, Wilkins was way out in front in 5^th and I was a distant 8^th. By the end of the second lap, Wilkins was in 3^rd and I was in 5^th. Sailed the last beat with Dennis Clark (USA). Two hundred yards from the finish, we met (him on starboard). Might have crossed him, but called out “tack or cross” too late to get a proper answer. Tacked below him, a dumb move. Should have ducked him to protect the right. Finished 6^th, 2 minutes behind the leaders. Wilkins finished a strong 3^rd. Race duration: a very long 60 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• Assumed port-tack speed was superior. It was not - in fact, felt out-of-rhythm.
• Kept overstanding the windward mark with Mark Bethwaite in the first race.
• Did not power-up on the first downwind leg and was not nearly aggressive enough.
• Got boxed in on the lay line, did not have a lane. Should have slowed down, tacked, and gone for clear air.
• Did not protect the right at the finish and lost any tactical advantage. Did not communicate well with the other boat on starboard.

What worked:

• Good but not great upwind speed when not with a crowd.
• Great downwind speed, due mainly to keeping clear air.
• Our first windy day - conditioning was good but seemed to lack grinding power.
• No major mistakes (premature starts, collisions, getting greedy at the marks).

Current standings:

After 6 races, we will be allowed to discard our worst race. If Keith and I each discard our worst race to date, Keith has a 3,(11),3,3 and I have a 2,2,2,(6). In other words, Keith is just 3 points back with 4 days to go. Need bullets!

With Keith - an incredibly fast and consistent sailor.

Day 3 (October 28) moderate winds, dropped (12-6 knots), 3 foot waves.

Race 5

Started one up from the pin to protect the left in good pressure. Pinched off the boat on my hip and then footed for clear air. By the lay line, could cross the fleet except for Mark Bethwaite who also tacked. After 3 minutes, rolled Mark. Misjudged the starboard lay line (current?) and had to put in 2 more tacks at the mark, rounding in first just ahead of Mark and Keith Wilkins who had caught up. Powered up but Mark passed to windward. On the run, went inside Mark to defend from Wilkins who was sailing directly to windward. Got Bethwaite at the end of the run on buoy room and put about 5 seconds on him by the bottom mark (had maximum foot) with Wilkins right behind. On the second beat, Bethwaite tacked to go left but Wilkins did not. Decided to cover Wilkins (he was 3 points behind, Bethwaite was 10). Wilkins continued way right (first time on this side of the course) and tacked short of the starboard lay line. Covered and worked to 6 boat lengths to windward of him by footing. Covered him as he tried to break free. At the windward mark, Bethwaite came in just ahead of Wilkins and we rounded 10 seconds apart. Got a little separation on the reach, run and reach. Then disaster. Just before the bottom mark, was stunned to be yellow flagged by a jury boat for pumping more than once on a wave. Had lots of foot and good pressure in the mainsheet, but there were no wave to catch! Rather than argue, did my 720 penalty turns and rounded 2 seconds ahead of Wilkins who had caught up. A whole new race. Covered him in many tacks that permitted Bethwaite and another boat to catch up. Finished 1^st with Bethwaite 2 seconds behind, Wilkins forced back to 4^th. Race duration 60 minutes.

Race 6

Same start with the same result but this time, there was less pressure on the left. Just short of the lay line, tacked and worked a narrow lane. Tacked several times to protect it, the boats below and ahead had more pressure. Wilkins was 200’ in front in clear air. At the mark, things totally collapsed as boats came in from the right. Rounded about 35^th. Went low on the reach and way inside on the run to pass about 15 boats. Had great pressure on the bottom reach and closed the gap with the leaders, who had bunched up. Rounded 20 seconds behind the leader and 10 seconds behind Wilkins. Most of the boats went left, so I footed to the right looking for clear air and then tacked. A few minutes later, Wilkins came up on port below me. I loosely covered, protecting the right which had worked for the first beat. We both tacked onto starboard and he sailed block-to-block in waves and little wind to out-point me (how does he do it?). He tacked in front of me to cross and I waited 30 seconds for a break in the waves and tacked to cover from behind. And sat there in a hole. By the windward mark, he was one minute ahead. On the downwind legs, he was just behind the lead pack trying to get through. There was a large gap then two boats and me. By the bottom mark, I had passed the two boats. Wilkins was in 13^th and I was 14^th one minute behind. Wilkins went right and I tried to cover from behind again. The right paid but pressure died just short of the finish line as the lead pack came in from the left. Wilkins sailed brilliantly to move from 13^th to 3^rd. I finished in heavy traffic a miserable 12^th. Race duration 80 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• Too slow in setting up on the reach.
• Got yellow flagged. Should have been more aware of where the jury boat was.
• For the second time, the second race/left side combination did not work. It is interesting to note that Mark Bethwaite did not start at the pin as usual, but in the middle for both races. Mark is a brilliant sailor and I should have got the message.
• Talked with the leaders of the second race. They said they were playing 10-15 degree shifts. I had not looked at my compass once in the race all day!

What worked:

• Great upwind speed for most of the time. On starboard tack, the boat goes from stalled to powered up with each wave. When powered up, move the aft shoulder back and out and then bear off and ease the mainsheet before stalling. Very fast.
• Sailing well on the runs, this time by going inside.

Current standings:

Wilkins had a 4 and a 3, I had a 1 and 12. Discarding the 12 as my worst race, and using my 6, we both had 7 points for the day. Still in first place by 3 points. However, have used up my discard race and have been yellow-flagged once (the next time is disqualification). Three points ahead of Wilkins with 3 days left, Mark Bethwaite is in third 14 points back.

Day 4 (October 29) moderate winds (15 knots) 2 foot choppy waves.

Race 7 (only one race scheduled today)

Worried about going hard left, but the breeze seemed steady, so decided to start two up from the pin. Mark Bethwaite was at the pin (again, a good sign) and Wilkins was two up from me. Was threatened by the boat on my hip but was able to out-grind him after a few minutes. It was then Bethwaite, I and Wilkins who had punched out. Good speed and height. After about 5 minutes, was very surprised to see Wilkins not pointing well - he had slipped down and was almost behind me. Went into pointing mode (something Ian Lineberger and I had practiced) and was able to get directly in front of Wilkins. He tried to foot through my lee, but was fading fast. He then tacked and took a large number of sterns. Bethwaite had worked well clear and tacked at the presumed lay line and crossed the fleet moving very well. I could not cross, so waited for the entire fleet to tack, counted to 10 and then tacked. Because only one race was to be sailed, I noted that the windward leg was significantly longer, and, in fact, the fleet was nowhere near the lay line. Got a nice steady lift and by the time we approached the starboard lay line, was able to cross Bethwaite by about 2 boat lengths. Wilkins looked pretty deep but was moving well. Put in a few more tacks for a loose cover of Bethwaite (wanted him to get well ahead of Wilkins). When Bethwaite tacked onto the starboard lay line, I crossed him, counted to 5 and then tacked. Rounded 5 seconds in front of Mark who had to put in two more quick tacks, just in front of very heavy traffic. Wilkins had worked himself into 5th. On the reach, was terrified about being yellow-flagged for pumping, still not sure what I had done illegal in race 5 (another sailor was flagged for pumping when he was in fact trying to loosen his vang!) Did not pump once and let Bethwaite pass me to windward. On the run, worked inside him and got him at the jibe mark. Led by 2 seconds at the bottom mark with Wilkins now a close 3rd. Decided to cover Wilkins and told Bethwaite of my intentions, so he tacked. Wilkins again sailed right and I covered him closely for the entire beat. Rounded the windward mark 10 seconds ahead of Bethwaite and 20 seconds ahead of Wilkins. Again did not pump once and Bethwaite closed the gap. On the run, Bethwaite jibed onto port and sailed directly to windward. On a wave, with me blanketed, he realized he was going to hit, tried to avoid a collision, and tipped. By the time he was up again, he was in 4th. Now had a good lead and stretched it on the reach, again without a single pump. Covered Wilkins on the last beat to try to hold him back. Finished 40 seconds in front of Peter Griffiths (NZ) who just beat Wilkins into 3rd. Race duration: 80 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• None - the closest I’ve ever sailed to a perfect race.

What worked:

• Upwind, set up with lots of cunningham, medium foot and loose vang - felt perfectly balanced and powerful in the clop.
• Downwind, lots of foot, a bit of vang - really powered up.
• Had good speed when needed.

Current standings:

Wilkins has sailed with incredible consistency with 3, (11), 3, 3, 4, 3, 3 and is 5 points back of my 2, 2, 2, 6, 1, (12), 1. Still a long way to go with another 4 races to sail.

Day 5 (October 30) moderate (10 knots increasing to 15) 2 foot choppy waves.

Race 8

A new course: two triangles, windward, leeward, windward. Arrived in the race area late and only had a few minutes to set up. The breeze was light so I wanted to start in the middle to protect the right. Just before the start, Keith Wilkins tacked under me and pinched me off. A general recall saved my butt. With a black flag, the boats in the middle really pushed things. My next start was good, but got that horrible feeling with another recall. While my number was not on the board, Jeff Martin, who was on the committee boat, said after the race I was very, very close to being disqualified. Third start was two up from the pin. Mark Bethwaite nailed another perfect pin start and jumped out for an early and sustainable lead. Wilkins was three boats to windward in clear air. Speed was OK but not great. Could not tack until the lay line and lost a bunch of boats at the first mark. Rounded 10^th with Wilkins in 7^th. Went low and was afraid to pump to catch the waves (did not want another yellow flag). At the jibe mark, still in 10^th. On the second reach, went high with good speed and pressure and passed a few boats. The leaders had really stretched out, with Bethwaite doing a horizon job. Started the second work in 7^th with Wilkins in 5^th. He’s fantastic at coming through the fleet and, with only a 5 point lead, I wanted to cover him from behind. We went right. At the mark, Ted Moore (USA) came in on port and tried to jam in below Wilkins. Moore came out in front and he and Wilkins spent most of the reach yelling at each other. Moore eventually did his circles. Feel Wilkins made two mistakes. You cannot argue and sail quickly at the same time. Secondly, Moore doing circles put him behind the group and gave Wilkins one less boat to put between himself and myself. At the bottom mark, Wilkins was in 3^rd and I was in 4^th. Close cover on the next beat and closed the gap. We started to split close tacks that Keith ended with a beautiful fake tack that I saw too late. Started a tacking duel to let the 2^nd place boat, Alden Shattuck (USA), stretch his lead a bit. He rounded 10 seconds in front of Wilkins with me 10 more seconds back. On the run, watched Wilkins’ flag at the top of the mast and covered his apparent wind as he carved back and forth to get free. Was surprised he did not go into attack mode to get Shattuck. Course was shortened at the end of the run, Bethwaite finished way ahead, Shattuck second, and Wilkins 3^rd 2 seconds ahead of me. Was very glad to have given up 1 point of my precious 5 point lead from this poorly-prepared race. Race duration: 80 minutes.

Race 9

Pin start 4 up with Bethwaite trying another pin start. Did not work this time (nice to see he’s human after all) and he got rolled by the fleet. Had the narrowest of lanes between Ted Moore (USA) below and Pieter Dekker (NED) above who I thought was over early. The lane narrowly closed but was able to hold on for reasons I do not understand. After about 3 minutes, another lane opened above Dekker and I put in two quick tacks to get some breathing space. Held on with good speed in the increasing breeze. Waited for the fleet above me to tack and then tacked. Was above the layline and footed in with good speed. Saw Wilkins for the first time, deep. Took a few sterns at the mark and rounded 10^th. Went low on the first reach and high on the second to move into 7^th. Bethwaite and Wilkins hammering it out in the 20’s. On the next beat, decided to cover Wilkins until ready to go into attack mode. Went right a bit and then way left with the leaders below me. Set up with medium foot, lots of cunningham and no vang and really worked the boat hard in the chop. Rounded 6^th. Positions unchanged on the reaches, Bethwaite and Wilkins hammering it out closer to me but still in the teens. Worked hard on the beat, closed the gap on the leaders. Rounded a close 4^th at the weather mark. On the run, was afraid to work the waves and let the lead pack get away. On the final work, tacked to get clear air to go hard left. Same setup, worked the boat really hard. When the leaders converged on the port lay line, had moved into 2^nd. Worked to get above the leader Alberto Larrea (ARG), but he put in two quick tacks to cover me at the line. Finished 5 seconds back. Bethwaite finished 9^th and Wilkins 14^th. Race duration: 90 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• Did not get to the start area early enough to get a feeling for the conditions.
• Got a friendly warning from Barry Waller (AUS) at the second jibe mark in the first race. He said I was working the boat with my body too hard and could have been tossed. I was not working the mainsheet but was obviously moving around too much. Comments like this from friends really help, because you really don’t know what you look like in the boat.
• Almost got black flagged at the start.

What worked:

• Before the races, Mark Bethwaite offered to compare notes on downwind speed (he’s faster on the top reach, I get him on the run). He told me I could go faster if I carved to waves on reaches more. I told him to let his main out past 90 degrees on the run.
• Great upwind speed again when the wind picked up. Felt very good after two tough races.

Current standings:

In the second race, Larrea (ARG) was disqualified for an incident at the first mark that I did not see (all that work in the last part of the final beat for nothing!). As a result, had a 4, 1 for the day while, in the second race, Bethwaite moved up to 8^th, Wilkins up to 13^th but could not benefit because this was his throw. As a result, now have a 14 point lead over Wilkins and 20 points on Bethwaite with two races to go. Plan to play it very safe tomorrow. If there’s a breeze, might even start at the committee boat and tack to get free air, and then rely on boat speed to get a top-5 finish to put the series away.

Day 6 (October 31) windy (20-25 knots decreasing to 15) 5 foot choppy waves.

Race 10

Back to trapezoid courses. The strategy was to avoid any kind of breakdown. Started 4 up from the pin well back from the line to play it safe, worked hard out to the left with Wilkins trying to roll me. Tacked on the lay line 10 boat lengths behind him. We both rounded in heavy traffic, him in 10th, me in 14th. On the reach, held on without playing any waves. On the run, went into survival mode to prevent tipping. Wilkins worked well ahead by sailing by the lee and living dangerously. Many boats tipped. Lost several boats and held even on the bottom reach. Covered Wilkins from behind and sailed very conservatively to avoid breakdowns for the next lap and then held on for the final beat. Wilkins finished 7th to my 9th. Race duration: 70 minutes.

Crossing the line in race 10... lots more pictures are below.

Race 11 (the last)

According to my calculations, I had won the event and did not need to sail the last race. To ensure that nothing was left to chance, sailed the last race, again in conservative mode. The final start was near the pin, again well back from the line. Sailed in clear air to past the lay line to avoid the traffic and then tacked and footed in. Wilkins was well back. Rounded 5th. Nursed the boat around the course, going wide at all marks to avoid confrontations. Finished 6th, Wilkins did well to finish 8th. Race duration: 80 minutes.

Mistakes made:

• None.

What worked:

• Was really strange to be in the don't-screw-anything-up mode after 5 days of pushing the limit. Frankly, felt it was a lousy way to end a series, until Peter Dekker (NED) said "You earned the right to go slowly". Steve Bourdow once told me “A lead is not for saving, it’s for spending”.

Final standings:

Won by 11 points. Mark Bethwaite moved into second place with finishes of 5, 1 in a great effort on the final day, Wilkins finished 3 points back, and was disappointed to be beaten for the first time in a World's competition since 1990.

Final observations:

Off the water:

• Several people mentioned that I was by far the best prepared for the series, something that I personally believed but did not think was obvious to others.
• Set the boat up for each condition so that when I let off the controls at the windward mark, they would go out to the desired position without having to make any further adjustments.
• Inspected everything each day: the bottom, checked for water, took the sail off to look for and correct mast bend (the spars were new and soft - needed adjustment every day!) No one else was doing this.
• Tried to eliminate all possible variables. For example, I covered the gooseneck with tape to ensure the cunningham did not get jammed between the boom and the mast. Bought a brand new English sail which may not have any advantages but is certainly not slow.

Starts:

• Except for race 8, felt 100% prepared and confident for each race.
• Had a game plan and stuck to it. Had practiced a good pointing/footing mode.
• Healing the boat to windward at the start in light air permits you to lee-bow a boat on your hip while still in footing mode - the best of both worlds.
• The left-favored course made it a drag race. Going all out was needed to stay in the top 10 at the first mark. Mark Bethwaite put in a clinic at the pin, but paid dearly once.

Upwind:

• Have always had good speed in light air. Practicing for heavy conditions (which only came on the last day) made me confident in the breeze. Mark Bethwaite told me "The difference between this year and last year (where I finished 5th at the Worlds in Cape Town) was you have learned how to sail in a breeze". Actually, I only trained 2 days in Dallas in windy conditions.
• The rest was conditioning and arriving early to get used to the waves (which got smaller during the series).
• As a result, had good upwind speed in all winds and was not at all concerned about what each day's conditions would be like. Ignoring wind shifts and the final 2 races of sailing conservatively, was only passed once upwind in the series.

Downwind:

• Was passed on the first reach (with the waves) a few times but never on the second reach (where waves were less of a factor). Really powered up with a tight leach. On the first reach, the passing lane paid did not seem to work - was better to go low to get room at the mark. High paid on the second to get into the passing lane (at the closing ceremonies, someone mentioned that my boat was the only one significantly faster on this leg).
• Getting yellow-flagged was avoidable and really hurt my chance to work the boat off the wind.

Other factors:

• Everyone says that "time in to boat" wins world championships. I have proved otherwise. You need a game plan for training and a game plan for competing. My 2 months of weight and hiking bench training and 10 days on the water in Dallas and 5 days in Chile before the championships was sufficient. You need to be prepared physically and mentally.
• After the series, talked to the New Zealand judge who had yellow-flagged me. He told me that I was flagged about 5 minutes after he had noted an infringement, and that I was not doing anything wrong when actually flagged. I told him that’s like punishing a child the day after doing something wrong. He agreed that they “had to find a better solution”.
• No major mistakes were made: no premature starts, no collisions, no breakdowns, no capsizes, no protests, no injuries, did not get greedy at the marks (in fact, never had to give buoy-room). Feel strongly that you don’t win world championships, you let others lose world championships.
• Knew who my competition was (in my case, it was easy - Keith Wilkins had won the worlds 5 times in a row). Watched him, covered him from the very first beat, learned from him, and waited for his mistakes.
• Find that eating on the water makes me lethargic. Trained on a 2 meal/day diet - protein and fruit in the morning and lots of carbohydrates in the evening. Did not eat anything exotic. A lot of people got sick eating local food their bodies were not used to (lettuce, seafood). Very tough when friends are going out to try new restaurants. Thinking about food, I need to lose about 10 pounds!

Pictures: there were very few pictures taken of the racing. The last day was windy so the judges had very little judging to do. So I gave my camera to one and asked if he would be kind enough to take some pictures if he got a chance. I'm grateful that he did.

I had a spare day before catching the flight back to Dallas, so I rented a car and drove east to do some skying on what turned out to be the last day of the season. The road up the mountain was the most spectacular I've ever seen, with shrines marking some of the places where people had driven off the mountain.