Midway Report "West Side"

As we reported on the US Team blog we are half way through the fleet racing with team racing coming up tomorrow. The weather is quite remarkable here. With the exception of one day it has rained each day of our visit since the 23rd. Simply getting comfortable with it now. Of course with the rain coming and going and a constant flow of clouds through the neighborhood the breeze is all over the place. Direction wise it is shifty, mostly from the west, south-west. Although we've seen it from the east, north and everywhere in between. The first race of day two began in roughly 7-8 knots and finished in 20+. If scores are an indication of the level of unpredictability only 8 sailors finished day one with all single digit finishes. After talking to a handful or more of the sailors post day two consistency means "getting a solid start and settling into your own rhythm." Mostly however when the sailors are queried with "How did it go today?" We are met faces struggling to express something positive, but then the memories of being on the wrong side of a big shift, or sitting under a windless cloud come charging into their minds and their expressions turn nonplussed. As is always the case with sailing, tomorrow is another day and tomorrow brings a break from the fleet racing, a trip to Fort Henry for some fireworks, and a much needed day of rest on Thursday.