Thunder and lightning dished up in Canada

Racing abandoned at Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship

The weather Gods in Kingston, Canada have not been very helpful today at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championship. They have dished out thunder, lightning and light, variable winds in equal measures, causing the race committee to have several meetings before finally making the difficult decision to abandon racing for the day.

Pat Lymburner, principal race officer explained:  “There are a number of factors influencing our decision.  The wind speed is below the minimum of six knots set for this world championship and, secondly, there is a lot of lightning activity in the area and I do not want to have the kids out on the lake with the threat of lightning.” 

The race committee will be discussing with ISAF the possibility of starting the racing a little earlier tomorrow in the hope of getting in more races than just the one which is currently scheduled.

ISAF Youth Trust coach, Jim Saltonstall said, “Everyone will be disappointed, especially when the you look at the points scenario being so tight.  It looks like it will be on the last race tomorrow.  But it’s right to have a minimum wind speed for a world championship, otherwise the racing can turn into a lottery.”

Australia currently heads the Volvo Trophy leaderboard with 225 points.  Denmark is only five points behind and New Zealand currently holds third place with 213 points.  Points for the Volvo Trophy are calculated across racing completed by all classes.  The best four results in each class in each race are equated to points (first place equals 10 points, 10th place equals one point) and these are the points contributing to the overall standing for the Volvo Trophy which will be presented after racing tomorrow, Friday 20 July. 

Daily results:  http://youthworlds2007.org/results.shtml