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After some training and preparation, it was time to go to Clearwater and compete in the US Open event for Laser radials and standards. I would be competing in the radial. This would be a challenge because there were plenty of US and International women who were trying to go to the Olympics who were entered. The top twenty at the event were all experienced Laser competitors.
On the first day of the event it was windy. I had good starts but I was a hair off the pace of everyone else. I had a pretty terrible day. When I came in I found out my boat was full of water. Unfortunately I did not have a leak tester kit or resin. Even if I did it was almost dark and it was cold, so it would not cure. So I just had to deal with it.
The second day was more of the same. I started really well, but I would bleed boats the entire race. What should have been a top 3 race quickly turned into a top 30 race. It was really frustrating. When I hauled the boat that night there was even more water.
Going into the last day it was even lighter and the leaky boat showed even more. I had no pace whatsoever and dropped even more places.
Overall, the experience was pretty discouraging, but it helped me learn how to deal with adversity. I think that it was a valuable experience for me. I had the opportunity to sail against many really high level adult competitors, and I took a lot away from it.
Thank you to the NHSF for supporting my trip to Clearwater. I’ve turned my sights on preparing for Midwinter’s West and applying what I learned.