Today marked day two of the RS21 World Championship. With big winds forecast to replace the light winds of day one, the race committee brought racing forward to stand the best chance of getting racing in. The committee headed afloat early to assess the conditions, with the sailors held ashore. With the breeze stable at 20-25 knots, the course was laid to the north of Biograd. The strong southernly propelled them towards the starting areas at speeds in the high teens, and the sailors revelled in the conditions enjoying the thrill of the speed with the control that the RS21 is famous for.
As the start time approached, the breeze and the waves built even further, and as the committee began the process of getting racing underway, the breeze built to over 30 knots and the wise decision was made to send the sailors back ashore where they could argue about who had the top speed. With the possibility that the wind may moderate throughout the day, the race committee ventured back afloat after lunch to monitor conditions. Whilst they abated occasionally, it was never consistently low enough to get safe, fair racing underway. So, racing was postponed until tomorrow.
RS21 Class Activity Manager, Jack Fenwick, said, “Whilst we’re obviously disappointed that we didn’t get any racing in today, the fact that so many sailors who are new to the RS21 got to experience the RS21 in her element which is a design that performs in the big breeze under control at break-neck speeds. The smiles and thanks from the sailors as they came ashore even in the wet and windy conditions, showed just how much they loved sailing the RS21 downwind in the short time that they were able to sail today and were hopeful that they’ll get to experience the same tomorrow.”
The silver lining, if we must find one, of not racing today is that everyone will be well rested and revved up for the crew party with drinks, dancing and live music hosted by Tonci Bar. For those who party too hard, we expect the fresh breeze to blow away the cobwebs.
Check out the results here. Follow the RS21 Facebook and Instagram for daily updates.
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