Practice Race Day: Into Regatta Mode.

The Laser Radial World Championships step into full regatta mode this morning in largs where the SW'ly winds continue to blow around 15-18 knots making for brisk final practice out in the channel off the Scottish Sailing Institute at Largs Sailing Club.

After days of build up, for competitors and organisers, the mood around the regatta site is one of quiet anticipation. Final measurements are still continuing through the measurers' tent, safety crews and coaches had their breifings this morning at 0930hrs, about half an hour after the first sailors went afloat.

If the atmosphere is slightly subdued than that perhaps reflects how breezy its been since before the weekend and so, for the athletes, rest and clearing the head can be at least as important as final hours on the water. So there are a good number of sailors who will spend their last day before racing actually starts, taking it easy, maximising their sleep and dotting the i's and crossing the t's just to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible on Day 1 of the championship that most are trying to peak at.

The official practice race is scheduled to start at 1500hrs.
Then it is the Welcome Parade through the streets of Largs which starts at 1800hrs.

8/7/2010 11:49