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Today, the first two qualification races out of a possible six are scheduled to take place for the 122-boat fleet, who are split into groups based on their ISAF World Sailing Ranking positions. They will sail a series of races that are targeted to be 60 minutes long on a trapezoid course, in an area to the west of Puerto Sherry. Groups are reassigned at the end of each day, based on that day's results, for the following day´s racing.

Following the three days of qualification, the fleet is seeded on the results and split for the final three days of racing. After that, the Europe World Champion, as well as the further 11 qualification slots for the Olympic Games in 2004, will be decided.

Final Preparations © ISAF

ISAF caught up with the bronze medalist from the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Serena AMATO (ARG). Serena has been absent from top level competition since her Sydney medal, whilst finishing her vetinary studies, returning to the international field only towards the end of last year. However, as she commented this morning, it has always been her aim to qualify Argentina for Athens and give it her best shot to defend, and hopefully, improve on her bronze medal. Since returning to competition, Serena has only competed in Barcelona Olympic Sailing Week and the Princess Sofia Trophy this year, and holds a world ranking of 122.


Serena AMATO (ARG) © ISAF

Measurement continues for the Yngling Class today in Puerto Sherry, and starts for the Mistral and Star Fleets.

Weatherwise we are expecting the hot easterly and south easterly breezes that blow easterly from the Sahara Desert over the next few days. Called the Levante, it is funnelled by the Straits of Gibraltar and can reach upwards of 25 knots, negating the presence of any sea breeze.

If the Levante is weaker than predicted, then the wind can swing to the South or South West, the further north into the bay you go, whilst still remaining an easterly gradient further offshore.

At the moment, the sun is up, the temperature is rising and there is a light easterly blowing, the remnants of the land breeze, and we have yet to see the presence of the Levante.

The Full event schedule, full results and photographs, as well as a host of other information is available on the event website at the address below.