Andrew Koch >> Day 3 Course Racing Worlds Update

Conditions remain excellent with onshore wind, breaking waves on the starting line and some nice shore pound to give you the extra challenge of getting off the beach. With a late start and 20+ knots of wind we all pumped up our 9m Edges and charged out through the big onshore waves.  This was the first race I have done with breaking waves on the starting line.  Some real carnage was happening in the fleet, but our training made the difficult conditions fun.

Johnny and Adam continue to dominate with Johnny taking 2 firsts and a 2nd followed closely at every turn by Adam with a 1,2,2 for the day. Speed and clean sailing is king for Adam and Johnny.  I had a great last race rounding the first mark in the top 3 with most of the fleet taking a flyer out to the left of the course and sailing past the weather mark. Johnny passed me at the leeward mark and Adam got me before the next wearer mark.  Damn these guys are fast and smooth.  All the training and sacrifice is really paying off this year for us.

Today was a really fun day for Chip and I.  We had a good battle going to move up in the rankings.  I ended up port tacking the fleet at the pin end on the first two races.  It was an amazing site to see 60+ kites charging the line with some serious anger and speed. Now I just need to keep the aggressive starts and continue to improve all the way around the racecourse. Chip picked up some consistent scores and is now pushing the top 5 in the fleet.  With Chips speed and determination to grind upwind he can taste the top 5.

Adam Vance has been super fast throughout the regatta, but had a rough day with an unlucky launch with the breaking onshore waves hitting an underwater reef on the way out to the start.  He will be looking for redemption tomorrow so everyone better watch out.

The team is just hitting its stride and feeling strong and fast.  Wish us luck going into day 4.

Andrew Koch

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