Chicago Match Cup, Day 1

Hi Supporters and friends,

Day 1 of the Chicago Match cup was a good one for Waka Racing. We started the day positively with a win against Dave Perry (USA), followed by victories against Canfield (USA) and one of the other two Kiwi teams, Laurie Jury. The breeze was straight off the Chicago waterfront making it awfully Shifty and puffs ranging from 5-20 kts. Much like a Southerly off the Westhaven wall. We sailed really well in the shifty and tricky conditions to take the victories in our first 3 races.

Our next opponent was Keith Swinton (AUS). We always have extremely exciting races against Keith and this one didn’t disappoint. We started well, tight in the leeward position to soon push him out right. The breeze then shifted right giving him the early advantage. We sailed well to stay in touch, taking two big shifts at the top to close it up and gain the right hand side. We came in on starboard lay and had a good piece of him. He proceeded to try and cross and we avoided him, clipping his back corner. This was what we thought was a clear cut penalty on him but it came our way?? The rest of the race was much the same with him slightly ahead. We gained once again and passed him right at the top. We had a great mark rounding to set him up to windward of us. He then threw a gybe at us and clipped us with his boom in the process. The penalty went on him so both slates were clear. Sailing to the finish line we were just behind him and with another big crash on the finish line and a broach from both boats he took the victory by half a boat length. We felt we sailed a great race again, to come from behind with a penalty and have a good crack at the victory.

The rest of the day was cracking. We had two more races and won them both against Nakamura(JPN) and the other Kiwi team Ruben Corbett. All in all we are very happy with the start of the regatta, sailing superbly to the conditions, changing gears in the puffs and taking the shifts like they were ours. We plan to carry this form through to tomorrow and keep the intensity and hunger up.

Cheers for the great support.

WAKA Racing