Heavy air day of sailing today - 14-18 knots with some higher puffs in at least 3 of four matches.

Johnny and Charlie are leading us 3-1 in the defender sailoff. We had a great opportunity to make it 2-2 but blew a 100 yard lead in the third match when we got knocked off the boat by a wave upwind on the last beat (bad steering on my part, we had the race in the bag). In the match we won, Johnny and Charlie flipped on the last leg trying to cover us downwind. In the other two matches, they beat us across the line by about 5-10 seconds (30-50 yards, close but there is no second in match racing!).

In the challenger series, Mitch and Herbie lead Enrique and Jorge 3-1. Enrique and Jorge feel like us as one race they had won was lost when they flipped just before the finish.

The Gunboat HT is in my opinion the best boat in the fleet in heavy air. It is by far easier and more forgiving to sail downwind in the big breeze than the other boats. It is making WF and I look quite competitive against the US silver medalists (that's a compliment to Peter Johnstone). The Marstrom boat is extremely difficult to sail downwind (it goes fast upwind). Herbie is not a happy camper as the beams are hitting and the boat is like a bucking bronco. At least they haven't flipped yet.

Lighter air is forcast for tomorrow. We hope to stay in the fight. Wish us luck!

(Note that this event is being covered by ISAF and pictures should be getting posted on the Southern Yacht Club website)

Bob Hodges