K-Challenge

A TOUGH DAY IN TRAPANI

Trapani, Sicily - 2005-09-30

Rough weather was today’s story for the teams taking part in the Trapani Louis Vuitton Act 8. After a two hour postponement, K-Challenge and the other teams on the Northern course followed the race committee towards the South for calmer seas.

After the lengthy postponement, only one of the two scheduled races was sailed. Several of the boats had major breakdowns, including the French who broke their jib cunningham and subsequently the headfoil. The incident happened just after the first crossing (approximately 6-7 minutes after the start). K-Challenge was forced to retire from the race.

The second match of the day against BMW Oracle Racing was postponed until tomorrow.

Thierry Peponnet, Skipper and Helmsman:”Apparently everyone had breakdowns before the first race. Shosholoza had a problem with its mainsail, which they managed to repair before the start. During the postponement, we spent a lot of time waiting on the Northern course in extremely large waves. I suppose this could have weakened the jib cunningham, as these boats are not really made to sail under such strong winds and seas.”

It is always difficult to have a major breakdown for any team, but especially for one of the smaller teams, who don’t always have the means to make immediate on the water repairs.

Fiona Campbell, K-Challenge meteorologist, on the conditions:

“Today's conditions were not too windy for America's Cup but it was the size and frequency of the waves that caused problems onboard. Previously in Trapani, the team has been training and racing in light to moderate winds (8 to 14 knots), but today we saw the wind speeds increase to a strong 16 to 20 knots with some squalls reaching over 25 knots. Today's strong winds have been blowing across the Mediterranean from southern France, and it is over this long fetch that the waves and swell have managed to build. When this swell hits the Sicilian shores, it rises into steep waves where the water shallows.

The outlook for tomorrow is for slightly lighter winds of 15 to 20 knots, but with the strong winds blowing all night, the waves will remain large providing another potentially difficult and boat breaking day on the race course. The sail loft knows the forecast and will already be preparing for tomorrow, making sure the sails most likely to be used tomorrow are in top conditions”.

Trapani’s weather is constantly changing. It is Fiona’s job to advise the team of the day’s conditions and the possibilities they will see during each race.

K-Challenge will begin again tomorrow, racing BMW Oracle Racing and then United Team Germany.










Stephanie Nadin

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