Tough First Day

I've had some great practice in Hayling Island, England, with tons of breeze and big waves.  So with today being the first day of the regatta, it only makes sense that the condtions would change drastically:   offshore breeze, very shifty, light, tons of current and lumpy.

I was in Red fleet today for qualifying.  I had two bad starts and was pin-balled around the course, struggling to find clear air all day long.  In the first race I went left on the first beat and the breeze went hard right.  On the second beat I went right, and the breeze went even harder right.  It was just one of those days.

Tomorrow we'll have two more qualifying races, and I'm hoping for a fresh start.