The five crews competing in the Racing Division, the only ones that were meant to be sailing today in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, were greeted this morning by a dense curtain of low clouds, more rain and shifting winds. This fleet was meant to re-sail Race One from Monday, while all the other divisions would be taking a breather from the intense racing. However, due to the complete lack of wind, at 11.30 am the Race Committee wisely decided to call off racing and postponed the re-sail of Race One to a later day.

While the crews were waiting onshore this morning, the International Jury - headed by Gunter Persihel from Germany - dealt with request for redress filed yesterday by Skandia, and pronounced it invalid for being filed out of time. Skandia had been scored OCS in yesterday’s race and failed to followed the correct steps to absolve itself of the infringement. The Australian owner and helmsman Grant Wharington had subsequently filed a request for redress yesterday evening, but failed to do so in time.

Today’s lay-day will give the owners and crews a chance to make any necessary repairs to their yacht, plus rest and relax before tonight’s much awaited Rolex gala dinner at the world-renowned Cala di Volpe resort. Designed by French architect Jacques Couelle in 1962 to resemble a fishing village, the hotel’s towers, terraces and porticoes blend beautifully with the natural landscape and embrace its private harbour. Youssou N’Dour, one of the most celebrated African musicians in history, will be the special guest at the gala evening and will entertain the guests with his eclectic mix of traditional Senegalese music, hip hop, jazz and soul.

Racing for all divisions resumes tomorrow. The weather conditions are set to improve from tomorrow morning and the clouds will gradually drift off. By the afternoon the sun should be shining over Porto Cervo. The winds will initially blow from the SW and during the day they will progressively shift to the W and NW, gradually increasing to 20-25 knots.

The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in conjunction with the International Maxi Association (IMA), runs from September 4th to 10th.

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