Race two, report two: time limit brought forward
The time limit for The Tall Ships Races 2015 second race leg from Kristiansand,
Norway to Aalborg, Denmark has been brought forward to midday today (Thursday
30 July).
Whilst this means that the
official race results on corrected time will be calculated at that time, close
battles continue for the leaders of the race as they round the third waypoint of three waypoint course and start sailing a direct course to the finish line.
Paul
Bishop, Race Director, Sail Training International explained, äóìThe Race Committee has informed the fleet that the time limit has been brought forward to allow them to finish the race and make it into Aalborg – the final port of The Tall Ships Races 2015.
“Light and variable winds made for a frustrating and challenging time overnight for the race fleet. Those vessels that rounded the second waypoint earlier yesterday evening faired better than those who were behind as many of them become stuck drifting in the area with little opportunity to round it in the calm conditions and contra current.
äóìThe
north west wind is predicted to fill in from the west at some stage, but it is likely that it will remain
light and variable for some time (according to the local forecast).
äóìTo
make the time limit any later would mean that we would be sending two thirds of
the fleet away from their destination, without the hope of them rounding the
third waypoint and closing Aalborg in time for the arrival deadline of 12 noon,
Saturday 1 August. They have however
enjoyed an interesting half day of racing today.äó
The time limit finish set for each class is:
Class A 12:00
UTC (1300 local time) Thursday 30 July
Class B 12:30
UTC (1330 local time) Thursday 30 July
Class C 12:45
UTC (1345 local time) Thursday 30 July
Class D 13:00
UTC (1400 local time) Thursday 30 July
In Class D Gigi (UK) (currently first on the water) was also first around waypoint three at around 0600 UTC today. Pen Duick VI (France) retains her second position but the battle for third place is currently between Bies (Poland) and Tomidi (Belgium).
In Class C there is a battle between St Iv (Estoni
