Despondent. Image copyright Fried Elliott/www.friedbits.com
by Anna Tunnicliffe
To be honest, I don't even know how to start writing this... I'm laying here in tears because we didn't do it today. We lost our knockout 1-2 to Ekaterina Skudina from Russia. After being behind in the final race, we had a chance to pass within our grasp in the last race, but couldn't quite get it and again we were beaten by a boat length at the finish line.
We're heartbroken with the outcome. We came here wanting to do well, but it just wasn't meant to be this time. Of our six losses over the series, we can pin point in each race, one instance where we lost it. This, I suppose in the overall picture, is a good thing because we can learn from each instance. However, at the moment, it's hard to think about them because they are so fresh in our minds and we keep having the "if we only did this" thoughts. But as they say, shoulda woulda coulda! We have learned so much from our experiences, but also are very excited with where we are with our learning of the game. We were very strong in all of the areas on which we had been focusing. What it comes down to now, is a game of inches and precision.
After controlling the right side of the course off the line in the first race, the wind shifted just enough left for Skudina to get around us and she went on to take the first race. We rallied back in the second race to even up the score 1-1. In the last race, she won the pin end of the line and we had to follow into the top mark, although we were within two boat lengths. On the first downwind, we rounded just behind her, and stayed close upwind. Second downwind, we closed the distance to be within half a boat length. As we closed towards the finish line, both boats gybed to starboard, and we started to roll her (the plan). We got over the top, but her kite filled quicker than we had anticipated and consequently, we couldn't break the overlap. She managed to pin us out past the pin, gybed in to the line and she took the race and series. It was an adrenaline-rushing battle; she did a great job and out-sailed us today. But as I said, it was sad for us.
I guess this loss will just add fuel to the fire. We are crushed, but will come back and prove that we can do it and win in London 2012. We have planned out a great winter training schedule to keep us on track for that goal.
Now that I'm near the end of the blog, I feel a bit better. It's never easy not accomplishing your goals, but in the long run it makes you stronger and helps fuel the fire to achieve the ultimate goal.
Thanks everyone for your support thoughout the event, and this season. We really appreciate it and can't do it without knowing you are all behind us! We would also like to say a huge thanks to our coach Dave Dellenbaugh. We have come a long way with him and together we will keep pushing forward. Also, a big thanks to Becca Dellenbaugh and Kay O'Bryan (Molly's mum) for coming out to support us. Finally, a big thanks to Phil and Wendy Lotz for housing us during the event.
We would like to thank Carmeuse and Trinity Yachts for their continued support of our campaign for the 2012 Olympics in London. We would also like to thank US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics (USSTAG) and its sponsors for their support.
Team Tunnicliffe
Women's Match Racing Worlds
