Frustrating Day Two As Strong Winds Halt Racing At Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship

Winds gusting over 30 knots meant the sailors never left the shore as day two of racing was abandoned at the 2009 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship in Buzios, Brazil.

All day long the flags spread across the venue have remained resolutely flat with winds of 30 knots blowing across the Bay of Buzios and forcing the Race Committee to first delay and then cancel all scheduled races for today. It was a frustrating day for the 280 plus sailors representing 60 nations, as well as the volunteers, organizations and race officials, particularly as light winds had been forecast.

Walter BODDENOR, Principal Race Officer, explained the situation, “Today’s wind conditions clearly exceeded the limits for racing and it was simply too dangerous to send the sailors out. Tomorrow the forecast is for light and shifty conditions so we will aim to complete the two races scheduled. Following the lay day on Tuesday, the seabreeze should return and will hope to make up today’s cancelled races in better conditions.”

The first of tomorrow’s races are scheduled to get underway at 12:00 local time (15:00 UTC).

Dealing with the frustration brought on by the weather conditions was one of many topics address by ISAF Coach Santi Lange (ARG) at his post-race debriefing held in Buzios last night. Click here to read more.