Paralympic Sailing Race Day 4 - Preview
Written by RYA | 04 September 2012
There is everything to play for as we enter the business end of the regatta with all of Britain’s crews well placed to claim silverware.
After a day of ups and downs in the light stuff yesterday, the sailors are preparing for more of the same weather wise at a least.
An early postponement flag was raised this morning with the expected light NW gradient has already disappeared, so we are looking at another delayed start.
But with a bit of luck we should have a repeat of yesterday with enough breeze arriving to get two races in the bag.
The Sonars, proven performers in the light breeze, will be hoping to master the conditions better than they did yesterday, when they scored a solid fourth and a discarded 13th.
However Helena Lucas will definitely be after more of the same as she scored two bullets. Alexandra Rickham and Niki Birrell in the SKUD will want to keep the pressure on the Australian leaders while keeping their noses ahead of the American team who currently occupy the bronze medal position.
No race can start later than 6pm in accordance with the published sailing instructions.
The maximum time limits for each race are:
- 2.4mR – 75 minutes (target time 50 minutes)
- SKUD – 90 minutes (target time 60 minutes)
- Sonar – 100 minutes (target time 65 minutes)
All the racing for this event takes place in Portland Harbour. Two races per day are scheduled for each class from 1 to 5 September, with one race for each class on the final day (6 September). Racing is scheduled to start at 11am daily.
*all times below are scheduled start times
Class: 2.4 Metre (one-person keelboat)
Sailor: Helena Lucas
Race Seven: 11.10am
Race Eight: ASAP after R7
Current standing: Helena sits in gold medal position nine points clear of silver
Class: SKUD (two-person keelboat)
Sailor: Alexandra Rickham / Niki Birrell
Race Seven: 11am
Race Eight: ASAP after R7
Current standing: Alex and Niki sit in silver medal position a point behind AUS
Class: Sonar (three-person keelboat)
Sailor: John Robertson/Hannah Stodel/Steve Thomas
Race Seven: 11.20am
Race Eight: ASAP after R7
Current standing: The Sonars sit in seventh, four points off a medal position
Read more about: