Settimana delle Bocche - Sardinian Mistral wreaks havoc

by Jill Campbell, YCCS on 13 Sep 2013 At the Audi Settimana delle Bocche, the infamous Sardinian mistral was making its presence felt as teams gathered in Porto Cervo Marina this morning for day three.

After displaying the AP flag ashore the Race Committee was forced to abandon racing at midday as sustained winds and gusts of up to 40 knots showed no sign of abating. The TP52/IRC52 and Soto 40 boats competing in the event will once again take to the waters off the Costa Smeralda for windward leeward races tomorrow, Friday 13th September.

Edoardo Recchi, Sports Director of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, organizer of the event explained the conditions: 'The forecasts were correct and from 8 a.m. the mistral kicked in and went from 25 to 40 knots in the space of a few hours. It is neither safe nor technically viable to race in such conditions and these one-design classes also have maximum wind limits. Conditions should be better tomorrow and we have moved the start forward by one hour in order to get in as many races as possible.'

Azzurra and Quantum, in first and second place respectively in the overall classification with a delta of just one point, will have to wait until tomorrow to continue their duel at the top of the TP52/IRC52 fleet. Competition promises to be no less fierce further down the overall rankings as all is still to play for with Gladiator in third place on equal points with Ràn and just two points ahead of Interlodge and Provezza 7.

The event is also valid as the final leg of the European Circuit for the Soto 40 fleet and once again things are extremely close on the leaderboard. Earlybird leads by just one point over Bigamist and Estampa del Viento - in third place on equal points with Glen Ellen XXII.

After a well-earned rest today, owners and crews will attend the Team Barbecue at Aqua Lounge.

The scheduled start has been moved forward one hour to 11 a.m. for tomorrow's penultimate race day. Approximately 10 knots of north-westerly breeze are YCCS
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