After the passage of yesterday’s squally front, the weather forecasts indicating a return of strong Mistral winds proved, unfortunately, to be correct. Blowing at a steady 30 knots from early morning, and hitting peaks of more than 40, the Mistral made it impossible to start the coastal race planned for all classes competing in the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. The Race Committee hoisted the AP flag ashore at 9 a.m. CEST to ensure that the fleet stayed safely in port, and at 1 p.m. the signal cancelling today's racing was hoisted on the YCCS flagpole.

Stuart Childerley, Principal Race Officer: “We were up against it with the forecast, but we had to hang out for as long as we could, because there was a small chink in some of the forecasts seeing the wind drop. We’re left with one final day which is looking really nice, so we’ll make the most of that for the sailors.”

Tomorrow, Saturday, 14th September will see the conclusion of the 34th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and with it the inaugural Rolex IMA Maxi 1 World Championship. The first starting signal is scheduled for 10 a.m. CEST. The forecast indicates westerly winds of 12 to 16 knots.