Delay

Gale force wind cause start of Tour Voile to be postponed reports 'foxy' Kate Jennings

The special weather flash from France Telecom announces gale force 7 to 8 winds over the Dieppe zone until 1800 GMT this evening. To avoid making the boats race in such conditions the Race Committee, presided over by Sylvie Viant, has decided to delay the start until tomorrow morning when the forecast is more clement.

The boats will nevertheless exit the basin this evening at 1700GMT to spend the night in the exterior port and be at the Race Committee’s disposal on the start zone tomorrow at sunrise 0345 GMT.

This delay leaves the crew of Douarnenez–Voile Magazine a little more time to re-step a new mast and be ready for tomorrow. Notably their new spar is none other than the exchange piece from the current leader in the general ranking and yesterday’s course winner, the American crew of Groovederci.

As for T epacap and Brest Grandes Ecoles Ensieta Enst-Bretagne, they are currently suspended from cranes attempting to get their keels in shape in the time available after unfortunately hitting some rocks during yesterday’s race.

As a consequence a number of skippers have supported the Race Committee’s decision as is the case for the enthusiast young skipper Ko Stroo, from the Dutch team on Delft Challenge Tu Delft. "We are well prepared for the race and are particularly keen to win the student ranking. However the sailing conditions in the first leg yesterday were pretty difficult nonetheless and we’re happy not to have anything worse than a few knocks on the boat".

Making the most of this free time the crews are dividing themselves between rest and repairs while the organisation proceeds with some surprise class measuring aboard random boats.