Shoreacres, Texas
November 17, 2007

With three first place finishes in three races we came about as close to perfection today as you can expect at US Sailing’s Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship at the Houston Yacht Club. Today’s triple victory has opened up out lead on the number two boat to 15 points.

Starboard tack action - - - Photo: Dan Nerney/Rolex

Conditions were lighter, more shifty and a bit trickier than yesterday. As it turned out we got a bit more wind than we had expected. We had solid boat speed all day and that plus some good tactical calls put us out in front. The breeze out of the southeast started at 8-10 knots but it built to 12-14 knots for the next two races.

 We had a good start in the first race but the Canandian team was out in front at the first mark. We pulled back a couple of boats and overtook the Canadians on the first run to go on and win this race. In the second race, the pin end was favored. We won the pin and got clear of the fleet and were never threatened. For the last start of the day, we were near the committee boat end which was the right place to be. At the weather mark, we were in the top five and we got past these boats and overtook Anna Tunnicliffe, who had won the first leg but had some spinnaker problems. Anna was close to us on the second beat and we sailed down the second run side by side but got ahead at the leeward mark to consolidate our claim on first place. Anna finished third.

You can find full Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Results here. Remember, our Team 7 site is at http://www.team7sailing.com

Sally Barkow

for Team Seven Sailing -