Day 7 of the World Sailing Championships has been badly disrupted by high winds on the Estoril coast of Portugal. Winds in excess of 35 knots have caused the postponement of all races. Race organisers have until 8 pm tonight to get some racing under way but need a significant change in conditions to allow safe racing proceed, that is winds of below 25 knots and calm conditions on route to courses...
ISAF WORLD SAILING CHAMPIONSHIPS: Cascais, Portugal, July 3 to 13, 2007.
Seventh Competition Day: July 9
Weather plays havoc with schedule
O'Connell & Cooke may not get the opportunity to challenge for Olympic spot
Day 7 of the World Sailing Championships has been badly disrupted by high winds on the Estoril coast of Portugal.
Winds in excess of 35 knots have caused the postponement of all races. Race organisers have until 8 pm tonight to get some racing under way but need a significant change in conditions to allow safe racing proceed, that is winds of below 25 knots and calm conditions on route to courses
Priority is will be given to the final and crucial "medal" races in the Star and Tornado classes. As per Championship rules if no racing takes place today the competition order at the start of the day will to be deemed the final standings.
This may lead to frustration for Irish competitors in Finn, 470, Laser and Laser Radial due to sail today.
In particular Star class competitors Maurice O Connell and Ben Cooke are anxious to take to the water. Lying 14th overall and in the 12th nation spot, they are one nation spot away from qualifying the class for the 2008 Olympics.
They need an opportunity catch US crew Mark Reynolds and Hal Haenel in the last race today. Beating the Olympic medalists is a tall order but they certainly want the weather to allow them the opportunity to try.
Other Irish Updates
Star Silver Fleet
May Treacy and Anthony Shanks had a good day on Sunday, winning both Star races in the Silver fleet, leaving them 32 nd overall.
Laser Radial
Claudine Murphy, racing in Gold fleet on Sunday, placed 53rd in race 7 and did not finish race 8, leaving her 54 th overall. .
In the Silver fleet one race was possible on Sunday. Debbie Hanna, placed 9th , 57 th overall, Annalise Murphy 7th , 59th overall, and Ciara Peelo 5th., currently 66th overall.
Laser
Two races were possible in the Laser Silver fleet on Sunday.
Roger Craig finished 20th and 44th to lie 68th overall.
James Espey, who placed 42nd and 44th to lie 92nd overall.
RS:X
US based Richard White is representing Ireland in the RSÇ X. The windsurfers are suffering more than most in the windy conditions and Richard did not complete races 3, 4 or 5, leaving him in 108 th overall.
