Sailboat racers at the Regatta Sailing Academy experienced another challenging weekend due to an increase in wind speed over the racing area just off the beach at the Intercontinental Hotel, West bay, Doha.
For the adult racers on Friday the wind was blowing around 16-18 knots with some stronger gusts. With the focus of the session on tacking, the 17 competitors were guaranteed to come off the water fatigued, added to which they also had to compete in two tough races where any mistake in boat handling was sure to cost them a place or more.
Saturday produced a mix of conditions for the 50 junior competitors, with those students learning the art of sailboat racing experiencing lighter winds which tested their patience and their light wind positioning skills, while the more experienced sailors enjoyed a glorious 13 – 15 knots later in the day, really showing off their sailing skills to the spectators on the beach at the Intercontinental Hotel.
Sunday again produced some superb conditions, although at times a little testing for the ladies racing fleet. Once again the fleet was tightly bunched, as has become customary for this fleet, and one mistake or slightly below average start could win or lose a race.
Although fatigued from their efforts on the water the racing sailors really pushed themselves to excel in the conditions, and the coaching team of Simon Kearns and Liam Reece were very proud of the effort and achievements of the sailors.
Next weekend will be the traditional “long distance” or “pursuit” races for the competitors so once again with the racing as close and competitive as it has so far been, one mistake could cost a sailor the chance for overall glory, so all is still to play for.
The overall leaders in each fleet are, Jill Baeckelmans, Simon Torkington, Rob Munster, Petar Vuk Avramovic and Robbie Witzmann.
