Day Two, the AP flag rules

After yesterdays fun on the water today is proving less fun. Walking from one end of the competition village to the next saw Rob nearly collapse in a sweaty heap due to the humidity that he claims today is at around 130% but was realistically 80%. After finally getting from one end of the boat park to the other through the ‘mixed zone’ or as we call it the ‘mixer’ there was not a huge amount of activity in the boat park due to a relative lack of wind. Before the Lasers started Tom and Chris went to look at the viewing wall where you can watch course A; well that is if you can see the course area through the fog. Even though most Golf GTI drivers have their fog lights on 24/7 the extent of today’s visibility would require the most respectable ladies and gents to have their fog lights turned on.
Rob is currently trying to improve Anglo/French relations on the water with the chief measurer Jean-Luc, and we guess after 2 hours on the water of doing nothing they are ready to kill each other; but who is your money on, here we will do a brief synopsis on who will win in the inevitable fight between Jean-Luc, the most laid back man in China and Rob ‘Gutto’ Gutteridge, our very own warranty warrior.

Jean-Luc
JL is French. Therefore he may have a tendency to play dirty and shout romantic sounding insults at Rob en Francais; he will definitely reach for the spare batten set and start about poking Rob in the eye when his chips are down; but on the other hand he will have finesse that any man would love to have on his side. He will also have the added advantage of steering the rib, which means only he knows of any upcoming potential jolty movements on the horizon.

Gutto
Gutto may be a few years JL’s senior but he loves Laser and would die for the company, therefore there is no way he would go down without a battle. After nearly 8 years with Laser Rob knows the strengths and weaknesses of the various essential spare parts being carried on the water and will be in no doubt what damage a Harken Cleat plate complete could do in the right hands. Rob also has the backing of various sailors. Andrew Murdoch NZL, leading the Laser fleet after day one commented: ‘I remember that grey haired bloke from Austria at the World Sailing Games; I am surprised he has not retired or passed away eh, but he looks in great shape for an old man, I reckon he could bench like 180/190’

Verdict
Its too close to call; all we can hope for is the wind fills in, the fog clears and everyone starts racing then maybe there will be no Anglo/French battle on the measurement boat. Then and only then can everyone related to Laser sailing truly say that today’s winner has been sailing.

Breaking News: Both Team GBR and US Sailing teams are being ridiculed by the other nations coaches for having two coach boats on the course area and having the flashest uniforms; though the general consensus is that the Swiss look pretty stupid riding around the boat park on battery powered scooters. One coach who asked to remain anonymous said: ‘there’s not much points tracking windshifts out here so having two ribs to carry lunch for two sailors just adds to congestion on the water, maybe one of them should jump in with the BVI coach and give him a few pointers on driving; he is very bad!’


This blog was Inputted from a mobile device while trying to carry out a stock take in our very hot container, please excuse typing errors and spelling mistakes.