SailGP Sydney 2024 - Friday practice day update
by Bow Caddy Media 23 Feb 2024 15:12 UTC
24-25 February 2024
SailGP GER being towed around the course in practice © Bow Caddy Media
The weather chose not to oblige today (Friday), with the scheduled SailGP Practice Racing on Sydney Harbour cancelled due to forecast thunderstorm activity.
Team Germany and Team USA were given special dispensation to practice for two hours this morning - as neither team had previously raced at this venue.
Unfortunately, they probably weren't able to draw much from their time on the harbour, as there was next to no wind all morning. Such practice as they could get was provided by their team ribs towing them at speed around the course area.
Tomorrow's weather (Saturday) looks set to be in sharp contrast to today - and will be a welcome change from recent light air events - with the southerly that hit Sydney this evening holding in until tomorrow's first race start at 4pm.
Wind speeds of up to 18 knots are forecast to fade by perhaps a couple of knots over the 1.5 hours of race time. Sunday's forecast is for a light ENE, but still at 8-9 knots at race time, so foiling should be viable with taller rigs.
It will be straight into action tomorrow afternoon, so with no practice sessions beforehand, the first race could prove interesting for some!
And apologies, we hope you don't get seasick watching Crosbie's interview in what was a very busy, narrow channel off the Glebe Island Tech base!