2015 Melges 24 World Championship - The weather gods took the day off

by Mick Anderson on 4 Jul 2015 The Melges fleet was sent out early today, hoping there would a small window of breeze before noon. However, as the boats arrived in the racing area PRO Hank Stuart could do nothing but stare at the knots of wind from all directions making it impossible to set a fair racing course.

So, there was nothing else to do than wait and hope for the sea-breeze to gain momentum, but it never did. After three grueling hours of waiting in the hot Danish weather, everyone was sent back in and asked to standby.

Onshore the sailors took cover from the sun and temperatures around 30 degrees in the shade of trees on the harbour area or in the main tent where ice-cold beer was served with a smile from the girls behind the bar.

Even though the sailors miss a full day of racing they already have nine races on the scoreboard where Swiss sailors Christopher Rast has a comfortable 20 points lead after his impressive day yesterday with three wins out of three.

Andrea Racchelli (ITA) and Bora Gulari (USA) are his closest competitors 20 and 23 points behind, and they are both interested in getting as many races in as possible, because the fleet gets another drop after 13 races. It is still possible to get four more races, but the weather forecast for Saturday looks even lighter than today, so it is doubtful if it will happen.

Racing continues Saturday with first race planned to start at 11 a.m.

Results after nine races:

1. Christopher Rast, SUI, 47 point
2. Andrea Racchelli, ITA, 67 point
3. Bora Gulari, USA, 70 point
4. Riccardo Simoneschi, ITA, 100 point
5. Carveth Geoff, GBR, 104 point
6. Kristoffer Spone, NOR, 126 point
7. Michael Hestbæk, Vallensbæk, DEN, 129 point
16. Kim Christensen, Egå, DEN, 184 point
19. Kris Houmann, Frederikshavn, DEN, 196 point
24. Marc Wain Pedersen, DEN, 219 point
26. Allan Hansen, DEN, 224 point
29. Peter Havn, DEN, 259 point
30. Jesper Bendix, Strib, DEN, 270 point