April 27, 2008
Antigua
Team Murka blew the competition away in both fleets today on the first day of racing of the Antigua Sailing Week.
Olga White with Alexey Murashkin and Igor Ivashintsov stood on the top spot of the podium in their first day of racing this week. With a great start and consistent crew work Murka Dragon swept passed her seven competitors and crossed the finish line first.
Murka, Team Murka’s Swan 48, also demonstrated that regardless of being the heaviest boat placed in the high performance division of the Racing III class, they kept the lighter boats at bay to finish 4th in a class of 12 sleek racing machines.
In light winds, Murka had to race flawlessly just to finish in the top 5.
Murka crossed the line just 40 seconds behind the third place boat. In stronger winds, Murka has a better chance of a podium result later in the week.Chris Mason, Murka’s Mainsail Trimmer reflected, “It was an excellent day of racing today.
In a bit stronger breeze we could improve upon our result today but we sailed very well throughout the 32-mile race today. We look forward to tomorrow’s racing.”Back at the crew houses, all the guys congratulated White on the first place finish of Murka Dragon in only her second international regatta on the helm.
Bravo, Olga!