Just 45 Laser Dudes Going Around Trapezoids…

August 12th, 2008 in General.

That’s what happened today on Course A situated just off the massive spectator pier under the Qingdao skyline. Nearly fifty countries competing in the Laser for three medals after eleven races. Sounds like just another boatrace. Yet, this one is distinct beyond all others. Years of planning and training for the Heaps upon heaps of funding and construction for the venue. All for some Olympic level boatracing.

We had two races today in light and puffy conditions between 4 and 6 knots. A mild groundswell ran under the fleet as we went around the track and otherwise the seastate was fairly manageable beyond coaches, jury and spectator boat wake.

Both my races saw good starts with good lanes near the middle of the line. We had a number of general recalls thanks to an ebb tide running upwind against the easterly breeze, thus both starts went off under black flag (automatic DSQ if you’re over any time one minute before the start). Unfortunately conservative starts and lack of willingness to hang it out into a side led to some mediocre midfleet roundings. Both windward marks I was in the 20 range. After each start I chose when I tacked and each time should have been more patient. Two slight comebacks for a 14, 18 put me in 13th place overall thanks to fairly inconsistent sailing across the board.

It is certainly nice to have those first race jitters out of my system. There are few experiences like sailing your first Olympic race I have to say, and I had some butterflies that I thought I’d put behind me in my youth sailing days. I don’t know if nervous is the word, but certainly anxious about whether you’re doing the right things around the racecourse. I think it will be important to remember that I can’t be perfect across the racecourse and need to just branch out slightly from the over-conservatism with which I started the event. Definitely didn’t have any shockers and to be in the top third is exactly where we need to be to whittle our way down into the top ten and have a shot late it the event.

38 comments.

Lop

Comment on August 12th, 2008.

Hey buddy - first day is in the books without a hitch. Good going. You’ve got ‘em right where you want ‘em. Keep up the good work.

Oh, and I like the headline. “Just a dude boat cruising up the right side of the course.” - Neverfolds is the best.

John Hungerpiller

Comment on August 12th, 2008.

Go for it Andy…Congrats on being there…have a ball!

John Hungerpiller D-12

Matt Davidge

Comment on August 12th, 2008.

Thanks for all the great writing over the last year+. There is nothing like being able to vicariously live through the dream at ground level.

Best of luck.

Andy Stewart

Comment on August 12th, 2008.

Sounds to me like you know what you’re doing. There’s a lot to be said for learning what you’re up against. I hope those jitters are all gone now. Good luck going into your next set of races.

Charlie

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Keep it up Andrew! Thanks for keeping us updated. Good luck. Go USA.

Cindy

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Congrats! We’re with you Andrew and appreciate the reports.

Lop

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Great race last night (yesterday morning?)! Keep the bullets coming.

John

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Go Andrew! Do what you do best…

BTW-Really curious to read what you did differently on Day 2. Whatever it is, keep doing it!

Andy Stewart

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Nice man! I suppose that bullet is confirmation that the jitters are gone. Jeeze man, keep it up.

Joe

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

NICE BULLET!!!! Keep it up.
“Try not. Do or do not, there is no try.”

Alex

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Andrew,
I have been following your success for years. I must say that I am glad you found yourself again. They say second is the first loser, but at the Olympics it is 4th place on. So, let go and go for it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. It is just another sail boat race.

JB

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Nice bullet AC, grind ‘em

Andrew

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Great race today!

Kevin Cushing

Comment on August 13th, 2008.

Hey Andrew,
I was on the Georgetown campus y’day….must’ve sent good vibes! Great job today (y’day). Looks like you fired up the whole team!

Kevin Cushing
AlphaGraphics

jorfam@optonline.net

Comment on August 15th, 2008.

Andrew,
A bullet in the Olympics. You’re my hero!! As for nerves, as we tried to remind ourselves on Courageous, after all the practice, it’s just another sailboat race. Love your blog.

Bill Jorch

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