Dean's Blog

Final day of Extreme Sailing for 2011

Today was the last day of the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series. After nine events over the year we were in a three way battle for third place for the season after numerous crew rotations due to clashes with AC 45 events. Amazingly going into the final race we could have finished anywhere from 2nd to 5th in the Singapore event and depending on results anywhere from 3rd to 5th for the Overall Season. After 300 races over the year it is amazing that it could be so close in the final race of the year!

We had a good day in the end and finished the Singapore event tied for 2nd with The Wave (3rd on countback), and more importantly third overall on the season points table.

When we started this year the only Extreme event we had done was Almeria in October last year where we finished dead last. To kick the season off with a 4th in Oman, a 2nd in China, a 2nd in Istanbul, and then a win in Boston to be leading after 4 events was great. We then had multiple crew changes as we balanced AC45 events and crew rotations to up skill the sailing team. We had some mixed results over the middle part of the season so it was nice to finish up here in Singapore with a 3rd in what was without question the most trying event of the year.

Looking forward to getting home for some sailing in the SL33 and then a nice Xmas break.

Best wishes

Dean

Day 4 in Singapore

Today was another day for us where it just felt like things never fell our way. The old saying goes you create your own luck but every now and then you feel like everything you do just goes against you.

Although Prada has taken a big lead into the final day, the battle for the remaining places is still wide open. We sit in third but only one point out of second. With another early start tomorrow there is a reasonable chance we will get at least another 10 races so it will be another day of grinding out solid results.

Fingers crossed for some good breeze tomorrow.

Dean

Day 3 in Singapore

Today felt like a tough day at the office but coming ashore today we find ourselves only 5 points out of the lead although now sitting in third overall.

The conditions again were very testing and today it didn't feel that we read the day well. We missed a few opportunities and gave up a few points in a couple of races which is always frustrating.

The outlook for the remaining two days is for much of the same. We have an early start tomorrow so that may present a new set of conditions to try and understand.

Looking forward to plenty more action.

Dean

Day 2 in Singapore

Hi 

Another good day for us here in Singapore h seen us climb the leader board to be now sitting in second two points behind the leader. 

Again it was a difficult day with the breeze very unstable and heavily influenced by the thunderstorm clouds that build up over the city during the afternoon. It is always a little nervy watching the clouds move towards you with a lot of electrical activity not too far away. 

With three days still to go there is a lot that can happen but it felt like we sailed a lot better than the previous days here. 

All for now

Dean

X40 in Singapore

Hi

Well having not managed to get a single Blog done during San Diego for the AC45 event two weeks ago I have managed to get the first post done for the final X40 event here in Singapore. Having raced here once before in 1993 in the Laser Asian Pacific Champs I knew it would be a warm and very humid affair.

We have been here now for 3 days and it is incredibly muggy. Hard to get enough fluids in during the day. As always it is a challenge to maintain hydration but easier said than done.

We are racing right alongside the Ferris Wheel in Singapore which is also the pit straight for the F1 Grand Prix. We are sailing on probably the most confined course area of the 9 events this year and it is incredibly tight. You would be lucky to be able to sail more than 2 minutes in any one direction. So with 10 boats there is plenty of action.

Yesterday we had a good first day. Having not sailed together with this crew since the 2nd event in China we were always going to be a bit slow to get going. We made a few mistakes yesterday and have plenty we can do letter with today. We currently sit in 4th but with four days of racing left a lot can and will change.

All for now

Dean

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