This is the day that defines me, and not in a good way. I sailed well in the first race, and ended up third. I was in the hunt for second, but a bad tack stuffed me back to third for good. There was no real threat from the back, so it was not a pressure sail, but it was disappointing not to at least grab the 2.
The second race of the day shut the door on my hopes of winning the Worlds. I started well, but had trouble again on a tack and was pushed back to about 10. I was then flagged and had to do a turn. I fought back to about 6, but then went to the wrong mark and finished 22, putting me out of the running overall.
I don't think I was as crushed as I have been for the last 12 hours in a long time. I have been working for this for two years, and to lose it like this, with good boatspeed, and good scores, and to OCS, 17, and 22 my way to failure was just too much. I guess that's sailing, but it is also life. I am not sure what I can learn from this. There is always learning to do. It's just too early for me to really know what. I have two days of racing to go. Perhaps I will learn not to be so hard on myself.
Photo Credit (official World's photographer): Capizzano.com
Rob Koci races in both the Laser Full-Rig and Laser Radial fleets around District 3. Currently, Rob is the District 3 secretary and maintains a frequently updated race diary on D3Laser.com. Rob's home port is St. James Town Sailing Club in Toronto, Ontario.
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