25.07.2011
2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship
Lack Of Breeze Means No Racing On Day 2
Aarhus, Denmark July 25 - Despite the presence of an encouraging 6 - 8 knot breeze
on the racecourse early on the morning of Day 2 of the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24
European Championship, sadly by the time the 80 boat international fleet had arrived
at the starting area, the wind had faded a little and was becoming increasingly
unstable. After an initial General Recall on the first attempt to start the fourth
race of the championship series, Principal Race Officer Hank Stuart was forced to
AP the following attempt when the wind dropped below 4 knots. Over the next few
hours, this pattern was repeated several times as the recalcitrant breeze continued
to spring up and frustratingly die away again.
After no less than 8 stymied attempts to get racing underway, Stuart finally had
to reluctantly admit defeat soon after 2.00 PM and post flags AP over A to abandon
racing for the day and send the fleet ashore. "It was a frustrating day for sure."
commented Stuart. "Several times the breeze looked as if it had filled in consistently
across the course, but the moment we tried to get a race away, the wind data from
the mark boats would start to come in with widely varying directions and strengths
and we would have to go to AP. It's disappointing for the sailors not to race, but
this is a European Championship and we want to be able to lay on good fair races."
Back ashore, the competitors appeared understanding and appreciative of the efforts
to Race Committee. Geoff Carveth, helmsman on GBR 654 Gill Race Team, said that
he believed the committee had done everything they could. "At least we all got plenty
of starting practise today. Shame is that we got some of our best starts of the
regatta in the races that never happened!"
Racing at the Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship continues tomorrow Tuesday
26 July, with forecasts for Day 3 offering the hope of warmer and sunnier conditions,
but unfortunately more light winds are expected too. Day 1 Press Release Correction:
We would like to apologise for an error in the Day 1 Press Release when we incorrectly
attributed third place in Race 3 to Christoffer Sunby on NOR 752. In fact, third
place in that race went to Petr Fiala on CZE 752 Aloha. Sorry for the confusion
and our thanks to Petr and the Aloha crew for taking the mistake in such good spirit.
Results after 3 Races
Overall
1st Carlo Fracassoli ITA 803 Gullisara 2,3,1 = 6
2nd Andrea Racchelli ITA 735 Altea 4,2,12 = 18
3rd Alberto Bolzan ITA 716 Saetta 11,7,2 = 20
4th Tonu Toniste EST 790 LENNY 6,17,7 = 30
5th Kan Yamada JPN 809 Bros. 10,15,6 = 31
Corinthian Division:
1st Tonu Toniste EST 790 Lenny 2,4,2, = 8
2nd Oyvind Peder Jahre NOR 751 Storm Capital Sail Racing 7,1,1, = 9
3rd Tiit Vihul EST 761 Rock City 1,8,6, = 15
4th Franz Urlesberger AUT 681 Schoenherr 11,2,3 = 16
Racing in the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship series begins Sunday
24th July and the ten race series runs through until Thursday 28 July.
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