LACK OF WIND STOPS PLAY

Course B Principle Race Officer Hank Stuart reported: “We had light wind from the northwest, so we set the first course at 295 degrees, and with a steady breeze at more than five knots we rolled into a starting sequence at 1245. During the second sequence (after a general recall), the wind began to shut down, so we hoisted an AP (postponemet) flag and waited to see what would happen. With the hot sun, it’s pretty tough out there on a small boat with no shade, and at 1350 we decided to send the boats in to wait for further signals ashore. It takes around an hour and a half to get everyone out to the racecourse, so a decision to race had to be made by 1600. Shortly after 1500 is was clear that the situation wasn’t going to improve, so we signalled 'no further racing.'”

Although no one ever likes to lose a day, it was clearly a popular decision with the competitors. "It was the right decision," said fleet leader Alberto Bolzan, helming Gianni Catalogna’s ITA727 Pilot Italia. IMCA Class Chairman Guenter Tzeschlock concurred: “There was no stable direction; it was very light and it was the only thing to do to close down the race for the day.” The 2006 joint Melges 24 Corinthian World Champion Jean-Francois Cruette, sailing Cedric De Kervenoael’s FRA612 Bouygues Telecom, agreed as well, saying “It’s a pity because this morning the wind was stable but too light. “

Speaking about the fleet in general, Laser SB3 European Champion Geoff Carveth, helming in his first Melges 24 World Championship for the UK’s Miles Quinton aboard GBR694 Code Zero, commented. “The sailing’s really close and really hard. I’m used to being in front in most fleets, but I’m not quite there yet. We’ve had our moments, and we’re finding a few grooves where I’m thinking I’m going as good as the top guys, but it only takes a slight change and you’re struggling for height and pace again. It’s such a minimal thing, but certainly we haven’t yet quite found an edge. Downwind we’re good; it’s just upwind where we’re still searching hard to find some more. The forecast for tomorrow is much better, so we’re looking forward to getting back out there.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow, Course A Principle Race Officer Peter “Luigi” Reggio noted, “I think it would be best for everybody if we did three races tomorrow to get some in the bank. Knowing that we have to do a final race, then split the fleet on Wednesday, we’ll look at starting earlier Wednesday so we can take the time to come ashore, sort out any protests, and do the fleet splits before we go out in the afternoon to start the second half of the championship. The forecast looks good for the next two days, but…this is sailing!"

Back ashore, the competitors soaked up the Sardinian sunshine around the Yacht Club's pool and took advantage of Volvo's courtesy car service, which provided 20 chauffeured cars from across the Volvo range for competitors to use in touring more of Sardinia's beautiful Costa Smeralda.

With no changes in overall standings from yesterday, Alberto Bolzan, helming Gianni Catalogna’s ITA727 Pilot Italia, leads the regatta. Norway’s Olympic Bronze Medallist (Soling/Sydney) Herman Horn-Johannessen, sailing NOR732 Rett Rundt Hjornet, lies three points behind in second. Reigning Melges 24 North American Champion Brian Porter of Chicago, IL (and Lake Geneva, Wis.), aboard USA649 Full Throttle, and Swiss America’s Cup sailor Jean-Marc Monnard, on SUI599 Poizon Rouge, share third place on eight points. Britain’s Jamie Lea, helming GBR691 Team Barbarians for Stuart Simpson, is one point behind them in fifth.

In the Corinthian Division, for the all-amateur teams, Oyvind Peder Jahre, sailing NOR 554 Terra Eindomsmeglng for Stian Briseid, leads the fleet and lies 17th in the overall competition. Second Corinthian is Rudolf Houdek in GER731 Secret Men's Business, with joint 2006 Corinthian Melges 24 World Champion Jean-Francois Cruette, helming FRA612 for Cedric De Kervenaoel, in third.

The 12-race series runs until Friday 6 June and a minimum of five races is required to complete the series.