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Had a good day at the canal today. I just went for as many runs as possible and managed to get in 8 runs, despite the return trailer breaking down and stranding us at the finish for half and hour.

Right after breifing the wind was 30 knots pretty steady at bend with gusts to 35-40. By the time I had finished rigging and got my gear on it was around 40 knots, again quite sready for here! Gusts to about 45. I saw Jacques do a good run on his 5.1m I went with the 4.6m. I felt pretty comfortable but after a few runs I started thinking I should have been on the 5m. Every time I thought that a big gust ripped through the start area so I changed my mind. In hindsight I think I was wrong as most run didn't feel totally powered. It is amazing the sail size you can use here because as soon as you start you turn so far off the wind!

Big 130+kg Thomas was using a 6.3 today!!!! Most were still on 5.4's and 5.6's!!!! but they are mostly big fella's here.

I used the new Lockwood 16.5cm speed fin the last two days. It felt 100% safe from spinout and very quick but seemed to be a bit more prone to steering the board up in the savage lulls. Once I realised that and anticipated it was fantastic. This would not be a problem at any other speed venue, but in this extermely narrow and gust channel it means you notice it. I put the TM48 back in for the last two runs today and it was just slightly more directionally stable but not faster in the slightly easing wind.

Jacque had a great day and I was surprised at the speed he got out of the 5.1m. Tony had a disaster day putting his head through his 5.4m sail before he even had a run. That was going to be his best sail today so he struggled.