Stransky’s campaign amongst the Laser Radial fleet looked like it had got off on the wrong foot – literally, when she stepped on a sea urchin as she made her way down the ramp and into the water. 

“It was low tide and as I went to jump on my boat, I stood on a sea urchin and I felt the spine go through my boot and into my foot,” Stransky said. “So, I spent my sail out to the start line trying to get bits of sea creature out of my foot and boot.” 

But remarkably, the minor incident didn’t hamper her performance, the debutant managing a strong start in Race 1, which saw her cross the finish line in 12th position. But it was less smooth sailing in Race 2. Low winds forced a long postponement, and when the race did commence, Stransky said she was surprised by how different the conditions were.

‘It wasn’t at all what I was expecting coming from a light offshore flatwater race straight into a moderate, really choppy one,’ she said. ‘It was a very big change.’ 

A strategic error resulted in Stransky dropping to the rear of the fleet early on, but she fought back to claim 26th place. 

The combined scores of both races leaves her sitting in 21st position, with eight races to go until knowing if she’s qualified for the Medal Race. This is the largest fleet of any of the Tokyo events with 44 boats. 

Things were no easier in the Laser class, where less-than-ideal conditions saw Perth sailor Matt Wearn have a tough first race. He found himself in the middle of his fleet from the outset, and finished in 17th position. 

Wearn was looking to better that position in Race 2, but unfortunately light and shifting winds forced that race to be abandoned a little over halfway. 

The field is wide open in this division and competition over the next nine races will be fierce. Only the top ten make it through to the Medal Race. 

First published on Olympics.com.au. Credit: Katherine Firkin

Images source: World Sailing/ Sailing Energy