Storm on Vilanova i la Geltrù, regattas canceled for today

The passage of a thunderstorm over Vilanova i la Geltrù, accompanied by heavy rains that wiped-out all visibility on the racecourse, prevented the Race Committee from running the regattas scheduled for today.

In the early afternoon the forecast had shown some hope for a weather 'window' that could open around 16.00, so much so that all crews went through with their dock out procedures under the pouring rain.

At 16.15 however, just as the first race was scheduled to start, the conditions worsened suddenly, forcing Race Director Iain Murray to cancel all the races and send the teams back to their bases.

«It was a mini storm localized over this area of the Mediterranean» explains Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli weatherman Hamish Willcox. «The Committee first delayed the start, but then was forced to cancel all the races because, at around 4pm, there was a violent lightning storm and rain, while the wind was unstable and weak on the racecourse».

Race 01 of the Vilanova Preliminary Regatta is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday September 16th.

Crew onboard Luna Rossa featured: Jimmy Spithill (helmsman), Francesco Bruni (helmsman), Umberto Molineris (trimmer) and Andrea Tesei (trimmer).