Dear Friends,

We are back after a long break from sailing since the Trials — and in style!  We are down in Melbourne, Australia, for two regattas: the Sail Melbourne Asia Pacific Regatta and the 2008 World Championships.  Coach Skip Whyte is working with us for both events.  So far, after day three of Sail Melbourne, we’re… WINNING!  How exciting! We have been leading every day since the first day of the regatta.

Our scores have been extremely consistent in the 48 boat women’s fleet.  Essentially every team is sailing, save three (Dutch, French, Canadians).  We started the regatta with a 2nd and a 3rd on the first day, Monday, January 14th, in windy, shifty conditions —  just what we like!  Our plan was to have a great start, go fast, and stay lifted, and we did just that!  We finished the day with a seven point lead on the competition.

The second day of the regatta brought lighter, flukier conditions.  We were not going as fast, but were still sailing smart, and finished 5th and 10th.  At the end of the day we were nine points ahead of the rest of the field.

The breeze came back for the third day of the regatta, Wednesday, January 16th.  We did not have our usual speed, but still managed to finish 2nd and 9th.  We are still leading, now seven points ahead.  We have two more days of full racing, and then a medal race on Saturday, January 19th.  Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed for us!

This regatta is proving to us that all our practice leading up to the trials was effective, and that we have improved tremendously relative to the international field.  It is thrilling to be out on the water competing again.

Check it out — a photo of us in on the home-page of the regatta:  

http://www.sailmelbourne.com.au/

For complete scores, please visit:

http://www.yachting.org.au/site/yachting/event/6997/overall_3_1.html

We apologize profusely for the delayed updates — we have been experiencing severe technical difficulties down under between a hard drive failure and a scarcity of high-speed internet networks! We currently only have half our mailing list, so please forward this message to any and all!

Many thanks to the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club Champions Fund, who have made these regattas possible through a grant, as well as all of the individuals who have generously supported our sailing efforts.  Thanks also to our product sponsors: Kaenon, Harken, and Samson Ropes.

Stay tuned for more racing!

Best,

Erin and Isabelle

470 Team USA

www.470TeamUSA.com

erin@470TeamUSA.com

isabelle@470TeamUSA.com