Katusha on Day One in Dubai. Image copyright Nico Martinez/RC44.
by Paul Cayard
Tough day onboard Katusha. We had 5 match races today and only managed one win. I haven't had that bad of a win percentage in a long time.
The winds were lighter and later to fill than forecast. The wind peaked at 10 knots from 285.
We started very well in all of the races except for the one against Artemis where we were over early by a second, all alone at the left end. We had to go back to restart and that gave them that race.
In the other four we had more than a fighting chance and something just ended up going against us. As an example, in race number two, we were even off the line against the Dutch and we had the right which gave us right of way at each intersection. After two intersections, we went back at them a third time.
Then BMW Oracle, which was in another match, tacked on us blocking our wind. We could do nothing other than tack away to clear our air but that meant three tacks to the one for the Dutch and that gave them a strong lead in the light winds.
Anyway, not to whine too much. We just had a bad one today. The good news is that through all the frustration of the day we stayed tight as a crew, not getting down on each other but rather staying positive.
The local team, Sea Dubai is having a great regatta so far having won all 5 of their matches. Our Louis Vuitton Trophy teamates on Artemis also had an excellent day winning all 4 of their matches.
The forecast for tomorrow is light offshore in the morning, shifting to light onshore as the land heats up.
We're going for a good night's sleep and a good one tomorrow!
Cayard Sailing
RC44
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