And then there was the Sailing World Cup Miami. The first day I felt fantastic. It was light wind and I was at the top half of the second pack, almost breaking into the top pack. I was strong and tactically consistent. I ended the day hungry to pump myself into the top pack. The next day it was light wind again and we were sent out late in the day. My energy was low, but I still sailed well.
Wednesday and Friday we did not have wind, so there were no races. For the whole event we had 7 races out of the 15 scheduled, this meant that there was a lot of weight on my mistakes. I went into Thursday with a good point gap that put me confidently on the US National Team. The wind was up and down and shifty between the rain clouds. I sailed very well and had some great starts. One start I port tacked the fleet. I was right behind the girls who were hunting for the podium positions. I slipped and fell and lost the whole fleet and my position as a US team member. Friday's lack of racing was a big disappointment for myself and many others since the scores were so close. I was three points away from making the team, something I knew I could do in one race, but this is sailing and crazy things happen.
All in all I am very happy with my regatta. I sailed very well, even port-tacking the fleet! I am just very disappointed that the results do not reflect this. I am also bumming that I did not make the team; especially because it was the result of a silly fall and lack of race-able conditions, not poor sailing. It is a strange feeling to complete a regatta proud of your sailing, but not having achieved your goals or have the results to show it. I am confident in the sailing I did. It shows me that I have a great future and that with full time training, I will be in the hunt for medals.
Thank you for all the strength and support you have given me, I leave for Cancún on Saturday!
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| Québec Voile International Windsurfing Team! |
