Thank you so much for supporting my trip to Marblehead, Massachusetts to compete in the Rose Cup! Over the course of the 5 day event, my team and I experienced a wide range of conditions, with the wind being anywhere from 0 to 12 knots while the shifts ranged up to 180 degrees. During the first two days of the event, our team along with 9 other teams participated in a practice clinic hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club, which consisted of coaches Dave Perry and Janel Zarkowsky. Having never sailed the Sonar boat before, both Dave and Janel offered a plethora of tips and tricks about the tendencies of the boat along with tuning and boat speed. On the first day of the regatta, the wind began at around 11 knots, with it expected to die and shift 180 degrees before picking up and becoming steadier once again.
During the first round robin, we won 4 and lost 5, as we got off to a slow start, but were able to place 7th and move on to the quarter finals on day two. Following the 2 versus 7 match, we were placed against the 6th place team, where we raced until either team won two races. During these races, we were able to use many match racing tactics during the races, including downwind jail, which inevitably led to us winning two races, allowing us to move on to the 5 vs. 6 match the following day to determine our final standing. For the last day of the regatta, the wind began at a lighter speed, with it slowly building to around 8 knots by the end of the 5 vs. 6 match. Similar to the previous day of racing, the 5 vs. 6 match was first to 2 wins, and our team was able to win the first two flights, which secured our 5th place overall standing in the regatta.
Overall, this regatta encased a vast array of situations and learning opportunities, and allowed me to strengthen my knowledge thanks to your support!