by Marc Hill (Coach to Cushla Hume-Merry, NZL, pictured above)
Big day today!
The breeze off Takapuna, on Auckland's North Shore, built from 14 knots to 18 in the last race. The first beat was about one nautical mile, with the outer loop being sailed. In terms of sea conditions, there was a largish set coming through, but good open spaces for some great downwind sailing.
In the races today, Cushla got two 1st places with Sarah Gunni (DEN) two 2nds and Gabrielle King (AUS) a 3rd in the last race.
In the last race the top three were well out in front, sailing very well and keeping it close between them. Sarah Gunni (DEN) lead for much of both races but was passed on the last downwind leg by Cushla, who went deep.
All that practice is paying off. Cushla seemed to have slightly more height - something we have been working on. She also received encouragement from a chance encounter with Dan Slater (NZ Olympic Finn rep. 2008).
Counting only first and second placings, after the discards, Cushla is now 6 points clear of Gabrielle King from Australia, in second, and 10 points ahead of Sarah Gunni, of Denmark, going into the final day of racing.
Big day tomorrow!
Cushla Hume-Merry
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