Time to apply the pressure?

Postcard conditions are expected for this, the penultimate day of racing at Quantum Key West 2013 for the 52 SUPER SERIES, with a building NE’ly breeze which should reach 18kts during the afternoon.

With the top two teams locked on the same points tally, Azzurra just ahead of Rán Racing on countback, this might be the day to push the risk-reward equation a bit more, trying to build a small points gap for the final races Friday.

Adrian Stead, GBR, tactician Rán Racing previews the outlook:

We are looking at another two races 12-16kts from the NE, slightly shifty and choppy tough to keep the boat going fast the whole time. We are in with a good opportunity to have a good day to get one or two points in front or at least give ourselves the opportunity to be in contention on the final day.

After Tuesday we had a couple of points lead, but we dropped a couple of points to Azzurra yesterday we would still be in the lead. We need to go out today and put in two solid races and see if we can get them in at least one or two races.

Consistency of getting the boat going upwind in the chop is one key thing for us. I am going to try and do a few less tacks. Today is the day we probably really need to go for the regatta. I think we will see that with quite a few boats, today is the day you have to take a few chances to get yourself on to the top of the podium going into the final day.
Adrian Stead, GBR, tactician Rán Racing