Start of 5.5 Metre World Championship postponed again because of high wind
It was supposed to be the day racing finally started at the 5.5 Metre World Championship in Lavrion, Greece. Morning conditions looked favourable and with a 09.55 warning signal, expectations were high for at least one race.
However, the wind built during the morning and by the time the fleet were afloat it was already approaching 20 knots. A start was attempted but was abandoned in the final seconds as the wind exceeded 24 knots and was stronger further up the course and buiding. The fleet were sent back to the marina where all racing for the day was abandoned soon after.
Twenty 5.5 Metres from nine countries are in Lavrion, the first time the class has come to Greece, and Tuesday was the first day the fleet actually got on the water after a week of very strong winds. Two boats suffered minor damage, and while the top helms thought they could have completed a race, most were happy with the decision to cancel.
One of three Greek entries is Aera (GRE 7, Nick Lykiardopulo, Jeremy Fanstone, Nicolas Berthoud). Originally intended to be a Evolution entry, they opted for the modern Caracole, from Bernard Haissley, for the week.
Helmsman, Nick Lykiardopulo is sailing his first ever 5.5 Metre regatta and today was the first time he has ever sailed a 5.5 Metre.
“The pre-start was the first time I’d ever tacked. We sailed half the beat and then came back down. That was the only time I've ever been in a 5.5 Metre, but it was fun. I enjoyed it. So, this week, the goal this week is not to hurt anybody and not to break anybody's boat. Especially Bernard's. Just sail around safely.
“And learn how to sail a 5.5. I was amazed how light it was, even in the waves. I’ve become brilliant at tacking on the dock. We've practised a few times. But I actually did one with the sails up today. They are lovely to sail.”
On the weather situation, “In the summer the north wind blows all the way through the summer, but it decreases at night and it blows for three days and then dies out. But this time of the year is not normally Mediterranean weather, so it would normally be sea breezes here. But I've never actually sailed out of this marina to know what it's like locally.
“But the Mediterranean Sea is six degrees centigrade hotter than any measured time in the past this year, and so I guess the weather is affected by the sea temperature. And I think we haven't seen the worst of it yet, because the warmest water is at the end of October, so I think we're going to see big storms in the Mediterranean.
“But it looks perfect for tomorrow, even if the next two days are a bit light. There'll be sea breeze, I guess, on Thursday and Friday, which means it fills in later, but it's usually seven or eight knots. It'll be fine for me. I was in danger of hoisting the spinnaker at the weather mark today, being the first time I'd ever been in a 5.5 Metre with the spinnaker up.”
How did he come to be here? “I'm friends with Stavros [Papagiannopoulos], who organised it, so I thought I'd do my bit and have a second Greek entry. And originally, I tried to borrow a Ben Lexcen Evolution from an Austrian friend who keeps it in Greece, but it needed too much work to get it ready to race. It's in beautiful condition for what he uses for, which is a sail around the bay. But then when we looked at it, it needed a lot done to it to make it safe, and I didn't really want to start messing his boat about.
“I have some six metres, and I'm friends with Bernard, who owns Caracole, and Canard, who's sailing with us and sails on the boat, and makes all our sails. So, I'm gingerly trying to look after Bernard's boat. I don't want anyone to get hurt, and I don't want to damage his or anybody else's boat, so I'm very happy to just tootle around at the back and keep out of the way. Stavros has put such an effort into bringing the fleet to Greece that I thought having only one Greek boat here was a bit of a shame.”
Over the years Nick has done a lot of big boat sailing. Notable victories including winning the Sydney Hobart, the San Francisco Big Boat Series, and top boat in the Admiral's Cup.
“But, you know, I’ve sailed with Jez [Fanstone] for 30 years, and today was the first time he's ever seen me touch the helm of a boat. Apart from offshore races the last boat I helmed was my Fireball. That was long time ago.”
On Tuesday evening, the Swiss and French fleet provided a superb dock party with raclette and crepes cooked on the quay and enjoyed by most of the fleet. Photos on FB and Flickr.
The forecast for Wednesday is for slightly less wind, and decreasing through to Friday. There are three days left and four races are required for a valid series. Three races are scheduled for Wednesday with a 10.55 warning. Hopefully it will be third time lucky.
