30 knot winds for Primo Cup

Fantastic photos from Carlo Borlenghi

Strong conditions have marked racing today for the 65 competitors in the first round of the 28th Primo Cup–Trophée Credit Suisse, with 2.50m waves and 30 knot winds.

As a result only one race was run. “In those titanic conditions we saw some sailors go overboard, and for safety reasons, we believed we had to stop the racing today; freezing temperature and strong winds even frightened the most experienced,” admitted Thierry Leret, Race Committee President.

For the Dragons, an excess of self confidence caused Russian born Anatoly Loginov to miss the race start, leaving two of Pirogovo Yacht Club’s members to take the lead; Dmitry Samokhin is ahead of Victor Fogelson. Tomorrow’s race will be decisive for only one point separates the first three leaders.

The competition was raging among the Surprises where the four Swiss leaders are fighting for victory, with 6 points separating the leader Mirabaud 1 from the fourth team, Olympic.

Following withdrawal from Filippo Orlando due to broken parts on his yacht, the leader in the Stars has changed with Swiss born Urs Infanger taking the lead overall.

In J/24s, Swede Mariane Schoke was the most confident and got closer to the leader St Andrew by two points. It was a good day for the Northern sailors including Dane Dennis Frederiksen who came second in today’s race. Making the best in the strong conditions, Germany's Jens Ahlgrimm claimed victory.

Tomorrow more strong breeze is forecast.