So it has been a while since we updated our blog… after we heard the decision from the RYA to send Stevie and Ben to the games we had we had a little time to deal with it all before we were back in Weymouth helping them towards the Olympics.
Then with the sails selected, the boat tuned and us race sharp we were all set for Sail for Gold. It was shaping up to be a tough week of racing with most of the guys going to the Olympics testing their best kit.
We had a pretty good week of racing, a few more lighter races would have been nice to get a more all round regatta but at the end of the day we were super happy with how we sailed. We lacked the pure boat speed to challenge for Gold but we set ourselves up nicely for a medal going into the medal race on the final day.
It was close on points, I think we could have finished 1st or 10th overall depending on the outcome of the medal race and with a windy race it was all to play for! To ensure a medal we needed to be within a place of Dave/Ed and within 5 places of Stevie/Ben, the Alonso’s and Swedish. We got off to a difficult start rounding the top mark in last, but we were confident in our abilities. We waited until there was an opportunity and we made our move climbing up to 6th (in bronze medal position overall) on the 2nd lap. On the final lap we just kept it safe as there was no chance of silver unless the French capsized. It was tempting to try and finish a few places higher but it would have made no difference to the results at the end of the day.
Alain and I are so chuffed to have medalled at the Sail for Gold finally! Especially when the competition here is harder than the Olympics, we are not in the best kit and had to stay positive post selection decision. It feels great to prove to ourselves that we could do it, we always knew deep down but to do it at the Olympic venue in the last regatta before the games is fantastic. We are still gutted to have missed out on the games, but that’s how it has gone and next time we will learn from our mistakes!
Thank you to everyone for your support
Dylan
