by Marc Hill (Coach to Cushla Hume-Merry)
It was a mixed day for Cushla today.
1st race: 15-16 knots of breeze, steadily dying with a lumpy but workable set. The beats were one nautical mile. Cush finished second in a clear group of three, with Australian Gabrielle King plus the Danish entrant, Sarah Gunni. Cush lost places downwind after leading both beats - one by 60 metres.
2nd race: There was a big sag in the start line, followed by a 30 degree shift to the left soon after the start which caught Cush out as she was well over to the starboard side and found it difficult to take a loss and get to the left. She never really recovered from this and finished the race in the mid teens, by far her worst result of the regatta so far, as she had not been out of the top six prior to this.
The French sailor, Mathilde de Kerangat, was good this afternoon. She started at the committee boat and worked out very quickly into a sound tactical position. Even though she was on the wrong end of the left shift she was able to work her way across to the left.
There are two strong Danish sailors and the Aussies are always in there. A couple of Americans are high up the fleet, but one got yellow flaged for pumping. This is something to watch.
Jo Aleh (NZ Olympic rep. 2008) is down at Takapuna Boating Club and is helping Cushla a lot.
The series is now poised with three capable of winning. It is possible that it could be decided on discards and the ability to remain focussed.
This Womens Youth event is getting exciting: a true test of minds!
Cushla Hume-Merry
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