N over A = No racing today

13 September 2008

You have to hand it to the Costa Smeralda, when the wind blows it blows. The breeze desert of yesterday morning is well and truly forgotten today, with over 25 knots in the harbour setting the rigging and halyards of the assembled Swan fleet a rattlin’ and a whistlin’.

“One of the easiest decisions I’ve made,” said Peter Craig stepping off the Committee Boat as he returned from the race area. Few on shore would envy the Race Committee’s trip outside this morning. The Mistral settled in last night. Gusts in the Straits of Bonifacio were already exceeding 40 knots at sunrise and whilst it was lighter round the corner off Porto Cervo, it was only relatively so.

At 1130, Peter Lawson, from the Committee, relayed the message from the course that the general situation was not expected to improve. Moments after giving three short blasts on the horn and hoisting the November flag over the Alpha flag to signify the curtailment of any racing, Lawson described the conditions leading to the decision, “in the course area the winds are 27 – 28 knots, gusting to 30 plus and conditions will continue to deteriorate during the next few hours. Gusts are expected to increase to the mid-30s or higher.” So that was that. Game over for the day.

Looking at the fleet standings there are a number of crews just that bit closer to the ultimate goal of winning their Division at the Rolex Swan Cup. In the Swan 45s, Christian Nagel and Earlybird (GER) hold a seemingly unassailable lead of 14 points. Earlybird has not finished lower than fifth in the six races so far sailed. And, with the Swan 45 Gold Cup, the Class world championship, as well as the Rolex Swan Cup at stake, this is a tournament winning performance given the variety of conditions experienced to date. Nagel knows that it is not yet over. If conditions comply there could be up to three races tomorrow and a discard will come into play that might just favour one of the chasing pack if Earlybird slips up, “it’s great to be in the lead after 6 races, 14-points ahead but there are still some races to go, so let’s wait until the event finishes. Of course we would prefer to sail today but we entirely understand the decision of the race committee to abandon today’s racing – too much material could have been broken in such strong winds and gusts, combined with a heavy sea.”

Tomorrow is another day and, for the time-being at least, it remains game on. Tonight Owners and Crews will enjoy yet more lavish entertainment with the Rolex Crew Party on the Piazza Azzurra. The theme is ‘Fiesta Latina’ and with plenty of food, drink and live music on the programme, the 3,000 or so event participants may expect another special night in Porto Cervo.