The Zhik 2013-2014 AUS 9er Championships practice race scheduled for 1500hrs yesterday had to be cancelled for all 29er, 49erFX and 49er fleets after a gale warning was issued for Port Phillip Bay.
However, the fleet of 76 boats did have a chance to get out early for a 'light warm-up' in 20-25kts before mother nature smacked the bay with gusts up around 50kts just after the scheduled 1500hr start time for the practice race; a good call by the Race Committee.
Although all 9er fleets were not allowed to leave the beach, the byo aussie 9er A-Team RO’s Peter 'Snubby' Moor and Tony Outteridge managed to sneak in a quick race management practice session before the dark line of the approaching southerly turned the bay into a turbid mess with gusts around 50kts.
Today's forecast for the start at 1400hrs of the fifty-six strong 29er youth teams looks comparatively soft at 15-18kts whilst the twenty one 49ers and 49erFX fleet have another training day with their competition commencing tomorrow.
– David Price
