After a stuttering opening to the Laser Radial World Champs, organisers desperate for a full day of racing fear light winds again could play the spoiler today.
Three races have been scheduled after just one race was completed yesterday when fickle winds on the Hauraki Gulf conspired toderail the regatta. And with a light northeasterly of around 5-10 knots forecast for this morning, sailors could be in for another long day of waiting on shore.
Only three of the six scheduled races have been completed at the halfway point of the regatta and with Olympic dreams on the line, it makes for some very anxious sailors.
Event director Grant Cunningham said while he was disappointed there hadn't been a lot of sailing, there was still plenty of time. "Five races makes a series so we've got three days to get two races in. I'm not apprehensive at this stage," he said.
"The Laser Association say they go for quality racing, rather than quantity. If you look at the three days racing, we couldn't have done it any other way."
With organisers hoping to fit in three races today, Kiwi sailor Jo Aleh expects a lot of movement in the overall standings. After starting the day in 11th place, Beijing-bound Aleh leaped up to fourth in the overall standings with a fifth in race three after several big names faltered, including joint overnight leader Sari Multala of Finland who recorded a 37th placing.
One of the big controversies of the day saw one of the overnight pacesetters, Paige Railey of the US, slipping from third to 32nd place after receiving a yellow flag in race three for pumping her sail over the start line.
