The conclusion of Canada’s time on the water at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games came today, and Weymouth and Portland waved adieu to our Canadian Team. Competing in medal races were our men and women’s RS:X sailor Zac Plavsic and Nikola Girke. Fighting hard in their last two races were 470 sailors Mike Leigh and Luke Ramsay. The weather was typically as it has been over the last two weeks, cold and rainy in about 16 knots of breeze.

In their first ever medal races, proud Canadians Zac Plavsic and Nikola Girke fought hard to make a mark in the top ten. Zac’s race was first and he was hungry for a win. He started the race 8^th over the line and held his position for two mark roundings, then disaster struck. The boom on his RS:X rig broke, and he had to stop mid race to patch it back together. This saw him finishing last and taking 8^th place overall, an unfortunate way to finish his Olympic run to say the least. We’re proud of Zac and have watched with wide eyes as he consistently reeled in the positions we knew he was capable of. Nice work dude!

“My boom broke so I had to stop and MacGyver it so that I could finish the race. I gave my everything and didn’t want to leave anything out on the water. I pumped my guts out until I crossed that line.” -Zachary Plavsic finished 8^th overall

It was a real heart breaker today on the water at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy as the 49er men Hunter Lowden and Gordon Cook screamed across what they thought was their finish line. In contrast 470 men Mike Leigh and Luke Ramsay sailed their best today, and moved up slightly on the overall board. Weather was breezy around 16-18 knots, and westerly leading to shifty gusty conditions and fantastic spectator placement. With only two teams on the water, Canada saw the 49ers and 470’s clawing their way around the race course. RS:X men and women were off to prepare for both of their medal races tomorrow. 

Mike Leigh and Luke Ramsay sailed their 7th and 8th races today, finishing 16th and 20th showing some of their stuff around the course. The guys shuffled through the ranks around the course but eventually were pushed back to 16th in time for the finish. Showing positions as high as 12th off the start in the competitive 470 fleet gives credit to the talent that these two guys have in their boat. At this point with only two races remaining the guys mathematically can’t qualify for the medal races but wont be backing out easily. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this dynamic team and certainly hope to see them continue to compete at the level the so quickly reached. 

A tense day today on the waters off Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy as medal battles were fought and medal race qualification took some final turns. The conditions were lighter than previous, seeing wind in the 10-14 knots range under sunny skies and 14 degrees of air temperature. Nikola Girke and Zac Plavsic just squeked through in what are less than ideal conditions for both. Mens 470 Sailors Mike Leigh and Luke Ramsay were off the water today to get some rest and recollect for the final four races in their series, and Hunter Lowden and Gordon Cook raced two races in their battle for medal race qualification. 

Zac Plavsic was dialed in to what’s proving to be the perfect time for his career to peak. Head Coach Ken Dool weighs in on Plavsic and his performance. "Zac has saved his best performance of the quad for the right time. Teamed with coach and Olympian Kevin Stittle and a world class training group he has worked diligently towards his goal to secure 8th with a shot for a top 5 finish. Zac has nothing to lose and will hang it all out in his final race of this games. An immensely talented athlete, Plavsic has drawn it all together for the most important week of his competitive career and looks to finish it off with an explosive finish.” Sitting at 8th overall with 80 net points going into the medal race give Zac a sure shot at 5th. "It's exciting. I saved my best competition until the end

and still have the medal race to go. I can only move up the leader board in the final race so I'm going to throw everything at it. I've got nothing to lose!"

Saturday at the Olympics and what a day for sailing. Weymouth and Portland National Sailing academy has presented these sailors with another beautiful say; sunny, breeze and cool air. 12 - 15 knots was the name of the game today, in about 18 degrees air temperature. 49ers, Finns and Stars were off the water today to rest. For our Finn and Star sailors their regatta is over. Greg Douglas placed 15th overall, behind his team mates Tyler Bjorn and Richard Clarke who placed 12th. 

On the water in Weymouth were the 470’s, Lasers, Radials and men’s and womens RS:X. The stories of the week are with our RS:X sailors who are finishing in top tens for every race. Nikola Girke in the Womens RS:X posted a 13th and a 4th today to hold her solid in 8th overall. In her 1st race Nikola didn’t have the greatest start, but had some good comebacks, “the top mark was really tricky, hard to see the puffs got caught in a couple of holes. Tricky race.” In her 2nd race she had a much better start. Nikola said, “I’ve been struggling with my speed the whole event but I managed to pull off a good start and keep my lanes. Still struggled with my speed and my height but was able to keep it together and pull off a good race.”  

Fast Friday

Week one of the summer 2012 Olympic Games is nearing a close at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy in Dorset England. Heading into the weekend there’s another week to go, which will see medal races for all fleets. Currently Canadians are looking good as contenders in the men’s and women’s RS:X fleets in terms of medal race qualification. With points doubled in the final races it’s going to take some serous tooth grinding to get close to the top three. 

Summery results have finally settled into these summer games, with temps up to 16 degrees and finally a little sunshine. Wind today was in the 12-15 knots range, so conditions were once again fair for olympic sailing. Taking their lay day today were the RS:X men and women’s fleets, giving them a chance to relax and spend some time with family and friends. Our Mens RS:X contender Zac Plavsic from beautiful BC spent the day with his friends and family seeing the sights. Nikola Girke, women’s RS:X spent time with her mom and did some serious prep work for the rest of her races; laundry. She’s pumped to get back to racing tomorrow.  

Lots of shuffling today, be it by position, results, weather or wind - nothing was steady. Day 5 of the Summer 2012 Olympic Games at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy saw the mens 470 on the water for the first time in the regatta. Off today were the Laser and Radial fleets for some well deserved rest and recovery. Weather was chilly this morning once again, with temperatures in the range of 10 degrees. Clouds were low and wind was up around 17 - 20 knots. Top results come from the board sailors once again today, both posting top tens.