Volvo

Miami Bronze and I don't mean sun tan....

Bronze medal for Paul in Miami Photo credit Daniel Forster

Things didn't quite work out in Miami this week. After sailing well at the start of the regatta I had a bit of a step back in race 5 when I was disqualified for not hearing a yellow flag penalty pre start after finishing second in the race. I managed to turn things around and get back on top with a good start to the finals series with a 2, 1.

Unfortunately in the last gold fleet race I sailed a little too conservatively in the dying breeze and got caught out to a 20 degree lefty at the top of the first beat and finished the race in 15. But, the most important thing was I was back at the top of the leader board going in to the medal race.

The points were really close- I had a one point lead over second place and two points over the third. If things had have worked out better in the protest room it would have been a 14 point lead and much easier but unfortunately not so game on.....

The medal race was tight, after winning the starboard end I tacked out to find better breeze on the right and lead round mark one. At the end of the second run I gybed on to Starboard to protect. Argentina’s Julio [Alsogaray] crossed behind me also on starboard gybe and then proceeded to luff, (a move which is not allowed in the rules) I avoided contact and then protested.

To my disbelief I was penalised and had to take a penalty turn. I fought back up the second beat to gain control and lead both Sweden’s Rasmus [Myrgren] and Julio down the final run. As the wind dropped my lead closed up as we approached the finish line. Four of us crossed the line overlapped for the closest finish I have ever seen in a medal race....

Unfortunately I was one wave short leaving me third overall.

Final Team Volvo for life Results
Ben Ainslie, Finn, Silver
Nick Dempsey, RS:X Mens, Silver
Paul Goodison, laser Bronze
Sarah Ayton and Saskia, 10th
Helena Lucas, 2.4 mR, 7th

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