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2010 Sydney Schoolgirls’ Get Active Breakfast Top 10 at Pre Olympic Test Event, Qingdao, ChinaWednesday, 30 Aug, 2006
Expectations were high leading into the Pre Olympic Test event in Qingdao, China. Every country was busy gathering wind and water data so as to be prepared for the Olympics in two years time. The venue is almost finished with a concrete marina and enough room for each country to have their own row, wooden launching ramps with carpet for the protection of the boats and boards. The Boards had their own tent at the far end of the venue with racks and carpet layed down for the gear to be stored in. With high security at every entrance each competitor had to swipe an id card and put all bags through an x-ray with even bottles of water being stopped if they were not sealed. A constant 15 knot off shore breeze for the few days before the competition 30.8.06 Top 10 at Pre Olympic Test event, Qingdao, China. Expectations were high leading into the Pre Olympic Test event in Qingdao, China. Every country was busy gathering wind and water data so as to be prepared for the Olympics in two years time. The venue is almost finished with a concrete marina and enough room for each country to have their own row, wooden launching ramps with carpet for the protection of the boats and boards. The Boards had their own tent at the far end of the venue with racks and carpet layed down for the gear to be stored in. With high security at every entrance each competitor had to swipe an id card and put all bags through an x-ray with even bottles of water being stopped if they were not sealed. A constant 15 knot off shore breeze for the few days before the competition was just a teaser leading into the event, as only one day had conditions similar in the whole 10 days of racing. The Opening Ceremony was spectacular with local Chinese musicians, dancers, opera singers and an awesome fireworks display over the harbour. Just a taste of what will come in the Olympics. Two lay days were scheduled for the women RS:X sailors straight up while the RS:X men and 49ers started their regatta on course A. Day 3 saw the women waiting all day on shore while the men tried to catch up on two races they were behind on. Day 4 was the first day of racing, a constant 4-6 knot sea breeze, foggy conditions and a 2 knot current was the setting. Allison read the conditions well and port tacked the fleet at the pin end and crossed everyone to be 2nd the top mark. The race was long enough for two Chinese girls to catch her on the 2nd up wind, and then two others just pipped her on the finish line giving her an opening score of 6th. Similar condtions for race two saw Allison come 11th. he following days had light conditions with some races even borderline acceptable with 20min pumping upwind against the current and a 2min down wind. Come the last day of the qualifying series, every lay day had been used to get results, and with the women 4 races behind the race committee were looking for two races. Rain and wind blew up a storm and with swell 1.5m high rolling in. Other classes were getting sea sick, while the boards had a great time planing around. Most had not prepared for the strong wind, frantically changing outhawl and down hawl settings so they could handle the conditions. "It was the first time I had ever left my chicken strap on shore, so with two minutes to our starting sequence I swapped the upwind beating strap and put it in the chicken strap position so I could handle the waves down wind". Race 7 started and the pressure was on with only 1 point to be out of the top 10 and 6 girls very close behind all trying to get in the top 10. Allison flew over the start boat full planing, ducked the start line, but there was an individual recall so to make sure, Allison went over the fleet and ducked again near the pin. Now 3rd row and almost last Allison started climbing her way back through the fleet. Just as she was catching Faustine the event leader a massive wave came and with so much pressure in the sail she recovered going into the backslammed position. Losing 40m on the fleet, Allison was 16th to the top mark. With 3 laps to go Allison started fighting back and by the end finished 7th. The last race of the qualifying series started after the wind completely died, then picked up again. A short W2 race ensured a result and with the practically whole fleet starting on port tack it was a sprint to the top mark. Allison started well but lost some height and had to tack out. Being 10th to the top mark, she caught up to 8th by the end securing a top 10 position by 1 point. The long awaited medal race had arrived. Light wind and sloppy water near the breakwall assured a hard pumping race to come. Everyone got out of the blocks well with a clear start. A short race made sure of close racing and possible protests. Allison was 5th to the top mark and the bottom mark. At the top mark on the final lap she had an incident with CHN 12 and called "protest" instead of doing her penalty she sailed Allison upwind past the mark while those close behind rounded the top mark and headed to the finish, leaving Allison in 10th. With the double points, and a non droppable result, Allison ended up 10th overall. "Being the heaviest in the fleet, and 15kg more than the event winner, I'm really happy to be top 10 in such a light wind regatta. I know now what I need to do for my up and coming Olympic trials, and the Olympics in two years time. It was a great learning event for me and I enjoyed the close racing" |
