Racing abandoned at Etchells Worlds

Excess wind and waves off Sydney Heads

On day two of the Etchells World Championship 2012 being held offshore of Sydney Heads, racing has been abandoned for the 74-boat fleet due to large seas and heavy wind conditions.

PRO Ross Wilson explained: “The conditions when we first went out were reading about 23 knots with a big set which was whipping up the seas to about a four metre swell; certainly unsafe for the Etchells sailors.

“We were hoping on a forecast of the breeze easing for the day, but as we went out the second time, just before 1300 hours, we recorded over 36 knots. So it was an increase of another 10 knots and the seas were worse.”

The race committee then announced abandonment of racing for today.

It is intended that there will two races tomorrow. Then two races on Thursday, two on Friday and one on Saturday.

“The forecast for tomorrow looks absolutely perfect and improving as the week goes on. We are confident we can get back on track,” Wilson said.