Frustrating start to the 2014 International Star Class Eastern Hemisphere Championship

Brunnen (Switzerland), 10-08-2014 - On Race Day 1 of the 2014 International Star Class Eastern Hemisphere Championship today, the eager competitors were met with shifty and inconsistent winds, long postponements, and a race-less afternoon.  First thing this morning, upon the arrival of the Star sailors at the Sailing Club Urnersee, the Race Committee was forced to postpone the fleet on shore due to a lack of wind in both the Urnersee and Gersauer Becken race areas.

As the thermal Northerly wind began to fill in on the Urnersee, the Race Committee ended the onshore postponement around 12pm and sent the fleet out onto the water. The northerly winds continued to build as the fleet approached the starting area, teasing competitors with the promise of good conditions and an exciting day of racing.

With storms looming on the southern end of the Swiss Alps, pressure began to build again but unfortunately from the opposite direction. Typical of Urnersee, when storms approach from the South a strong Föhn wind begins to fill the lake from the bottom of the lake and push against the thermal northerly until it takes over the lake completely.

Around 3:00 pm, the new First Warning signal time, the conflicting winds began their battle and the Race Committee postponed the racing further. Because of the 180 degree shifts and dramatic pressure changes, the Race Committee moved the Star fleet back up the lake and within an hour later, sent them to the harbour to wait on shore once again.

Just after the whole fleet made it ashore, the Föhn wind filled in strong with puffs up to 35mph. The Race Committee then abandoned racing for the day and postponed the start of Race 1 until tomorrow, Race Day 2. At 7PM CET Race Committee will publish the official time for the First Warning of Race 1 and hopefully conditions will be stable enough to complete 3 full races.