NZL Yachting Trust Optimist Dinghy Worlds Team 2012:
It’s hot and humid in the Dominican Republic and Day 2 of the Championship is over. Hopefully they will all be tucked up in bed having a good rest for tomorrows racing! If you are mad keen to watch the racing live, tune into the tracking from 4.30am ….that’s 12.30pm the day before in Dom Rep! They are 16 hours behind NZ.
Only 2 races have taken place on the first day and no races on the 2nd day….bizarre weather! On the 2nd day they were out on the water and a storm came in. As they are an hour from the shore there is not much they can do, however it blew over quickly and then the wind died completely.
Race 1 – Leonard Takahashi-Fry and Tim Adair were in the same flight….Race1, flight 1 – This proved to be a difficult race for both sailors. At least half the fleet started over the line with no recall. Tim decided to go back just in case he was over and therefore his finishing position would be adjusted once they took into account all the osc’s. Unfortunately for Tim no-one was penalized. Tim 44th, Leonard 29th.
Race 1 - Cameron Moss 35th, William Mckenzie 2nd, Isaac McHardie 27th. They were all in separate flights.
Race 2 – Leonard 8th, Tim 13th, Cameron 30th, William 15th, Isaac 3rd. They all remained in the same flights for Day 1.
William McKenzie is best placed Kiwi after 2 races - 19th overall.
The opening ceremony was enjoyed by everyone and the Kiwis held their flag up proudly but it was marred at the end when 400 sailors and parents were all leaving at once to get on the buses back to the hotel. An Aussie dad and sailor and 3 Brazilian sailors decided to walk back along the beach instead of waiting for another bus. They were mugged at gunpoint and their laptop, phones and sailing gear were all taken! This was shocking and the officials were very sad that this happened.
Once everyone is at the sailing club or the hotel complex, it is safe, fun and socializing with other teams and swimming in the pool keeps them all entertained.
Let’s hope Day 3 produces some results!
