2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship - Lack Of Breeze Means No Racing On Day 2

Despite the presence of an encouraging 6 - 8 knot breeze on the racecourse early on the morning of Day 2 of the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship, sadly by the time the 80 boat international fleet had arrived at the starting area, the wind had faded a little and was becoming increasingly unstable. After an initial General Recall on the first attempt to start the fourth race of the championship series, Principal Race Officer Hank Stuart was forced to AP the following attempt when the wind dropped below 4 knots. Over the next few hours, this pattern was repeated several times as the recalcitrant breeze continued to spring up and frustratingly die away again.

After no less than 8 stymied attempts to get racing underway, Stuart finally had to reluctantly admit defeat soon after 2.00 PM and post flags AP over A to abandon racing for the day and send the fleet ashore. "It was a frustrating day for sure." commented Stuart. "Several times the breeze looked as if it had filled in consistently across the course, but the moment we tried to get a race away, the wind data from the mark boats would start to come in with widely varying directions and strengths and we would have to go to AP. It's disappointing for the sailors not to race, but this is a European Championship and we want to be able to lay on good fair races.

Back ashore, the competitors appeared understanding and appreciative of the efforts to Race Committee. Geoff Carveth, helmsman on GBR 654 Gill Race Team, said that he believed the committee had done everything they could. "At least we all got plenty of starting practise today. Shame is that we got some of our best starts of the regatta in the races that never happened!"  

Racing at the Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship continues tomorrow Tuesday 26 July, with forecasts for Day 3 offering the hope of warmer and sunnier conditions, but unfortunately more light winds are expected too. Day 1 Press Release Correction: We would like to apologise for an error in the Day 1 Press Release when we incorrectly attributed third place in Race 3 to Christoffer Sunby on NOR 752. In fact, third place in that race went to Petr Fiala on CZE 752 Aloha. Sorry for the confusion and our thanks to Petr and the Aloha crew for taking the mistake in such good spirit. 

Results after 3 Races

Overall

1st Carlo Fracassoli ITA 803 Gullisara 2,3,1 = 6

2nd Andrea Racchelli ITA 735 Altea 4,2,12 = 18

3rd Alberto Bolzan ITA 716 Saetta 11,7,2 = 20

4th Tonu Toniste EST 790 LENNY 6,17,7 = 30

5th Kan Yamada JPN 809 Bros. 10,15,6 = 31

Corinthian Division:

1st Tonu Toniste EST 790 Lenny 2,4,2, = 8

2nd Oyvind Peder Jahre NOR 751 Storm Capital Sail Racing 7,1,1, = 9

3rd Tiit Vihul EST 761 Rock City 1,8,6, = 15

4th Franz Urlesberger AUT 681 Schoenherr 11,2,3 = 16

Racing in the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship series begins Sunday 24th July and the ten race series runs through until Thursday 28 July.

Media representatives who would like to attend the event are asked to contact IM24CA Media Coordinator Fiona Brown on fiona.brown@melges24.com.

Aarhus Sailing Club and the International Melges 24 Class would like to thank event title sponsor Böklunder for their most generous support of the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship.  Böklunder is the producer of a delicious range of meat and sausage products.
The 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship will run from 22 to 28 July. Registration will open on the morning of Friday 22 July, there will be practice racing on Saturday 23 July and Championship racing will run from Sunday 24 to Thursday 28 July inclusive. You can keep up with all the latest news and developments from the 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 World Championship via the Championship Facebook Page, the event web site and www.melges24.com.

The 2011 Böklunder Melges 24 European Championship is sponsored and supported by:-

Böklunder
Henri Lloyd 
Aarhus Kommune
Sport Aarhus Events
Idraetssamvirket Aarhus
Canon
Volvo
Kongres Kompagniet
Ullman Sails 
Sailing Aarhus

The Melges 24 is designed by Reichel Pugh and considered the most unique one design sportsboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. For more information please visit the official website of theInternational Melges 24 Class Association.

For more information please contact:

Justin Chisholm
International Melges 24 Class Event Press Officer
 justin@justinchisholmsolutions.com
Skype justinchis
Tel +44 7769 938722

Fiona Brown
International Melges 24 Class Administrator & Media Coordinator
fiona.brown@melges24.com
Skype fpbrown
Tel +44 7711 718470

Ken Holst
Press Coordinator
Sailing Aarhus
 ken@sailing-aarhus.dk
Tel +45 61 65 63 73

René Bruun
Chairman Danish Melges 24 Association
rene.bruun@bni.as
Tel +45 41 12 11 24