Strong Winds Force Abandonement Of Day Two Of Pre-Worlds

Strong winds off the Sunshine Coast of Queensland today forced the Race Committee to abandon the second day of competition in the ACE Etchells Pre-Worlds Regatta Day Two.

Regatta director Leith GOULTER announced the decision with only a handful of boats already out on the course practising.

“The wind is already gusting over 20 knots and the forecast is for some much stronger gusts, with winds of 30 to 40 knots further down the coast,” Goulter said at 10am.

“We don’t want yachts to suffer damage to rigs or new sails with the Worlds only two weeks away and, in any case, there will be a final Pre-Worlds Regatta next weekend at which we expect as many 40 boats.

“Most the prominent competitors will be here again, including John BERTRAND, Rob BROWN, Mark BRADFORD, Mark BULKA and Dennis CONNER,” he added.

A fleet of 85 boats, from New Zealand, Italy, Great Britain, Hong Kong, the USA and all Australian fleets has entered for the ACE Etchells World Championship 2004 which opens on 28 July, with racing between 1-8 August off Mooloolaba.

After the two races sailed yesterday, Bertrand, from Melbourne and Pittwater fleet sailor Rob BROWN were equal on 7 points, with Brisbane skippers Mark BRADFORD and John Warlow and Australian National champion Mark BULKA from the Mornington, Victoria, fleet, equal on 8 points. Local yachtsman David TURTON was sixth on 11 points while Conner was lying 10 in standings on 19 points.

Brown yesterday notched up a sixth and a win, Bertrand a fourth and a third, Bradford a win and a seventh, Warlow a second and sixth, Bulka a third and a fifth and Turton a seventh and a fourth.