A Memorable Regatta!

India Sailor Rohini Rau shares her experience of participating in the Laser Worlds in Japan with the iSport readers.

Karatsu Bay
Karatsu Bay (affectionately called Castle Bay as Karatsu Castle is such an impressive landmark over looking the sailing area) in Japan turned on superb sailing conditions for the Laser Radial Women’s Worlds 2009. 87 participants from 30 countries participated in the 12 race series spread across 6 days.

miniro The Saga Yacht Harbour played great hosts in organizing a smooth, well run regatta both on and off water.

Delightful off water events
There were events held offshore for all the participants to experience the wonderful culture of Japan. There were excursions – where sailors were able to participate in festivals such as the Higashi float festival, tea ceremonies at the Takatori houses, there were twilight races with prize money and the largest spread of Japanese cuisines most nights.

Day One
The race committee did a wonderful job handling the 2 fleets of 44 and 43 sailors. The first day of racing saw the usual conditions of Japan – not much wind and very cloudy, but at least it wasn’t raining which was a good sign. The races were scheduled to start at 11: 30 am but were postponed by an hour when the wind picked up to around 4 – 5 knots. There were a lot of swells, which made it a little difficult. I had a good start, in the yellow fleet and ended up at the top mark around 20, but by the end of the race, I made a few mistakes and ended up 32nd. Mrinalini Santhanam, also from India, did well to finish 37th in the first race at her first World Championship. In Race 2 the wind picked up to about 10 – 12 knots, I had a good start, but went to the wrong side of the course. I managed to gain a few places towards the end of the race and finished 33rd.

Veronika Fenclova (CZE) surprised her competitors leading the score board with 6 points (1,5), Anna Tunnicliff (USA 2008 Olympic gold medalist)was in second place also with 6 points (2,4)

Tough sailing conditions
The next few days of racing found us in winds of 15 – 18 knots with huge swells very unlike the conditions expected at this time of year. Locals said that it was unusual conditions, as the summer had set in late this year. I can only blame it on Global Warming.

Day Two: The highlight of the series!
Day 2 saw huge swells and chances of a few spells of rain. It was very difficult conditions, where there wasn’t much wind with 2 – 3 meter swells. The right side of the course paid off most of the time during the race. I had a good start in the blue fleet, but the race didn’t turn as well as planned finishing 35th. Mrinalini Santhanam was doing well in the other fleet (yellow) finishing 33rd. In race number 4, the wind picked up to around 20 knots. This did not make the conditions any easier with the big waves. I had the best start of the entire regatta, starting right next to World number 1 Anna Tunnicliff (USA), I decided that I had to make sure I started well, otherwise I would fall behind. So I started accelerating a few seconds earlier, not worrying about whether I would be over the line. It worked! Anna had to tack away, as I started ahead of her. But this was short lived as I went a little too far to the left of the course. I sailed a safe race after that finishing 30th. Mrinalini had a slight mishap capsizing on the downwind leg of the course. She was doing quite well until then. She managed to finish 41.

Day Three: A day of capsizes
The wind was strong the entire night, and continued during the races as well. Races 5 and 6 were sailed in 20 – 25 knots of wind with even bigger swells. Mrinalini and I were in the blue fleet. I had a good start, but wasn’t able to go to the right side of the course in time, so lost out on a few places. But today was my day of capsizes, once before the racing began and the second time, where it made a difference was during the first downwind mark. I recovered fairly quickly; nearly 5 boats passed me by this time. But I recovered a few positions by the end of the race to finish 36th, which was my discard for the series. Race 6 was sailed in stronger winds; I had a bad start, but decided to go right, ended up finishing 34th. Mrinalini finished 40th and 41st in these races.

Days Four to Six: Was in the top 20 in every race!

We were then split into Gold and Silver fleets. There were many changes to the leader board; Lija Xu of China was leading with Anna Tunniciff (USA) not too far behind.

The wind did not get any lighter, and the competitors were forced to test their physical fitness going into the finals days of racing. Mrinalini and I were both sailing in the Silver fleet. I was happy that I was slowly improving my positions finishing in the top 20.

Braving the winds and swells, and a broken toe I was happy with my performance. Finishing my 3rd World Championship 23rd in the 43 strong silver fleet.

Mrinalini had gear failure in race 9 where she couldn’t finish the race, but made a good comeback in the next few races finishing 40th.

One of the goals I had for this championship was getting good starts. I am glad that my coach Allan Jullie ( Seychelles) from SailCoach was happy with my steady improvements. I hope to continue to learn and improve, gaining more experience in further championships and fulfill my dream of qualifying India for the 2012 London Olympics