So back to the beach and running around to change fins. Had a much better feeling with the 28 RS-3, but by then the wind had dropped considerably. So back to the beach and again more running around to grab my 80 and try it on the 7.8. Eventually they closed the round early due to light winds, but I finished absolutely punished. Running around on the beach with 3kg on your back really takes it out of you. End result eventually turned out to be 2nd place on the day, and second overall for canaries. More importantly I was getting a better idea of what kit was working and more crucially, what wasn’t.
“ Speed is also a discipline where you can mix professionals with amateurs on the same course ” Bjorn Dunkerbeck
Day 3 – With strange Calima weather, the wind was all over the place. Picking up for a few minutes, before swinging around to the other direction and leaving people swimming back to shore. Eventually the racing was called off and I went out for a few runs to get some photos. I grabbed my 90 X-Fire and 7.0 and ended up with my best speeds so far. I made a note to give that a try next time.
Day 4 – Still some very strange wind, but finally it kicked in late in the afternoon with very similar conditions to the other days. Zara had made a comment about small sails being quicker on the tight course, and after yesterday’s good runs in the evening I opted for the 7.0/90/30. This turned out to be a killer combo. Plus with a small wave running through the course I could use this to get an extra knot out of the board, especially helping to get through the lull in the middle. I did try the speed board again towards the end, but it was clearly not as effective.
At the end of the session and following the usual “How fast did you go?” conversations, it was clear that I had had a very good session. Keen to be able to check the data, I ran to the van to download the card before handing it in. In my haste however I pulled the card out before turning off the machine, resulting in a very worrying loud beeping noise! That meant that the all important file from the afternoon session was missing! My heart almost stopped and I searched and searched to see if I had made a mistake. At that point I honestly thought I had wiped the whole session and was pretty devastated. With my face white with worry I found Zara who reassured me me the data was recoverable. Sure enough the wonderful guys at GPS-Speedsurfing found the data and later that evening confirmed I had finished the round in 2nd place behind Bjorn, and was sitting 3rd place overall. I already had had a beer night planned with JC, and after that result there was even more reason to celebrate.