ESS Porto

Porto lived up to its billing as one of the best ESS race venues ever, the river Douro just big enough to host the 8 Extreme40's. We started really well, particularly as it was my first competitive races on the helm for over two years. we won the first race out to sea, and finished day one tied in 3rd. However from day two onwards the racing moved inside the river, and became close.... too close at points! SAP Racing a little to eager to fly out of the starting blocks on port tack at the starboard end, were unable to complete there duck of GAC Pindar, starting on starboard at the boat end. The resulting crash ended our days racing at the start of the day.... The jury gave us average points, but unfortunately this couldn't really do us justice as the remaining teams (down to 6 with Oman air losing there spinnaker pole!), were able to amass easier points than normal costing us 6th place. The major problem though was a new team trying to gel and regain match sharpness which we lacked, i struggled to be fast when eyes out, and to be smart when fast with eyes in the boat! A consequence of joining the series as a helm halfway through the series. The racing was great as usual, perhaps not the best event for me to come into as helm for the first time, and hopefully Cardiff will go better for us in slightly ?! more open race venue...