Desperate times

Another day without racing means that the 470 Europeans may prove to be an invalid championship

The scoreboard at the 470 European Championship taking place on Lake Traunsee in Austria, remain unchanged after another day without racing.

According to the race schedule, today should have ended with the top 10 selected for the final medal race, to take place tomorrow. There were hopes to have three races in both the men's and women's events, as the forecast was for a steady thermal breeeze. Unfortunately, the wind didn't come, and pressure on both Championships rise.

One starting attempt was made in the men's gold fleet, but was abandoned on the first leg as shifty winds made it impossible to continue racing. The boats were sent back ashore, and asked to remain ready to get back onto the water.

So at present Croatia's Sime Fantela and Igor Marenic still lead the men's event while Italians Giulia Conti and Giovanna Micol are holding first in among the women.

Annoyingly the weather has meant that at present the regatta has yet to fulfil the requirements for a valid Championship, with one more race required in each event.

Kevin Burnham, who's successful sailing career in 470's goes back a long way, including a silver medal in 470s in Barcelona in 1992 and gold in Athens is on location coaching the US 470 team. He is as amazed as are the sailors: “I never had this situation in my over 30 years professional sailing career. The 470 class has always been very careful selecting the venues for it's Championships, including this one. Fact that this is the first time that I've been involved in such a situation in 30 years, says enough that this is very rare situation. A 470 can be sailed in almost every wind condition, from very light, to heavy winds. The race committee has done everything in it's power, and made every effort to deal with the situation sofar. In mind that we have a last chance tomorrow to have a valid race, I am happy that it is this race committee responsible for the race management tomorrow, because if there will be any condition at al that makes sailing somehow possible, they will be able to finish the job, and make sure that the winners return home with their deserved medals.”

In an attempt to reach the full compliment of races, the first starting signal for tomorrow's racing is scheduled at sunrise, at 7:00, to take benefit of a possible SW breeze to have one race.Two races are scheduled in the afternoon in an expected NE thermal breeze.