No racing again

Day nine of the Chevrolet Hobie 16 World Championships in South Africa saw 48 knot winds

Three Races sailed and none completed so far today. The promised early blow turned into a battle for supremacy between the early morning north westerly and predicted south westerly. Whilst the boats waited to launch competitors watched the committee and mark laying boats settle into positions that would allow them to lay a course quickly for the expected south westerly blow.

This was not to be as the north westerly won the battle. At around 12:10 the windward mark was set and the fleets were ready to go. Just after the start the wind clocked around into the west and the few boats that had taken the inshore course got incredible lift and started streaking across to the windward mark. Unbeknownst to the leaders, boats further back were going the opposite way and heading for Pollock Beach, south of the start line. With the wind strength increasing steadily the race was abandoned and the battle to get home began.

With the wind gusting to 48 knots the spectators witnessed many boats capsizing and rescue boats taking spare sailors out to Hobies to assist. NSRI kindly came out to stand by in case further assistance was needed. Most boats made the trip back to the beach in one piece and the only damages were a torn sail and bent mast. One Hobie carried straight on past the windward mark and beached on King's Beach.

For some sailors it was a frightening first experience of gale force winds. For others it was just another day at the office. Local's Andrew Ward and Steve Arnold remarked that they had trained in similar winds and were keen to go and tame the beast.

With the postponement flag flying, the wind continued to howl.

The wind predictions for Thursday are light southwesterly but moderate southwesterly in the afternoon