Olympic Skiffs sidelined in Portuguese calms

No wind at the 49er Worlds in Portugal © Maria Muina / www.sailingshots.es

They're some of the fastest sailors ever to pull on a sheet, and while many of the 80 men's and 57 women's Olympic skiff sailing teams arrived here weeks ago to practice for the most important event on the calendar, the only challenge they've faced during the first two days of the 2017 49er/FX World Championships has been boredom.

"We've had some really frustrating conditions here, not just with unstable and patchy air, but also with seriously thick fog," said Principal Race Officer David Campbell-James. "We worked hard to try to set courses yesterday but it was just never possible." While the coast remains light under the influence of a light-air pressure bubble, just a few miles offshore the famous Portugese Trades came on strong on Tuesday, with 20 knots of Northerly breeze tantalizingly close to Porto – and coming no closer. "We may get something to play with later this afternoon, but it appears we may have to wait another day before we see any quality racing."

If the fleet loses Tuesday, the Worlds schedule will be compressed, with the Qualifying rounds extended into Thursday. Gold fleet will also extend to have four races on Friday and then racing Saturday morning. The Theatre Style final will be reduced by removing the petit final, leaving only the top 10 boats to compete in the Final on Saturday afternoon.

Campbell-James is optimistic for good conditions at the end of the week. "With Porto opening up the new Ocean Terminal and inner harbour to the 49er fleet, we've got a ten-story viewing platform looking directly down on the race course," explained Campbell-James. "With the wind likely to come in by then, it could be the best medal racing we've ever had in the Class," he added.

Qualifying will begin tomorrow and continue on to Thursday, with gold/silver rounds and Medal Racing to follow on Friday and Saturday.

Interview with David Campbell-James from earlier today:

Interview with Rio Bronze medallist, Thomas Ploessel, from this afternoon, where he discusses his revolutionary new tension gauge, and much more:

Interview with Spaniard turned Brazilian, Carlos Robles, who now sails with Marco Grael:

49er.org/event/2017-world-championship