The America's Cup (click here) has gotten off to a false start, tomorrow's opening day of racing postponed until Sunday due to high winds in Bermuda.
Wind gusts of up to 30 knots have been forecast for the Great Sound tomorrow - well above the upper limit for racing of 24 knots.
Ordinarily race management would wait until the day to see what the weather gods dish up, but with 10,000 fans expected to pack into the America's Cup village at the Royal Naval Dockyard, they were forced to make a call early.
Russell Coutts, head of the ACEA, said it was a disappointing outcome, but the safety of the teams is paramount.
"This is clearly a decision we have not taken lightly and appreciate the inconvenience caused to the sellout crowd. Our primary concern however, is always safety for everyone involved in the America's Cup.
"We are adding an hour to the race window on both [Sunday] and [Monday] to run extra races with the aim of getting back on schedule. There are still tickets available at the weekend, although not in all categories, so we are hoping Friday's ticket holders will still get the chance to enjoy what should be an incredible opening weekend."...
There is a lousy, chronic vortex that has been causing flooding and danger to lives for days now along the east coast of the USA.May 25, 2017
1930.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor GOES East Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)
I am not sure Bermuda will receive relief from this system by tomorrow. It is a bit of a stagnant system. That is the problem. It has been dropping tons of water on the southeast USA.
The problem is there is a very turbulent system on the west side of this vortex. It might be wise for the race officials to review the potential turbulence at Bermuda in the next 48 hours and whether or not the racing vessels will be in safe waters even if there is a window of opportunity to begin.
The racecourse for the 35th America’s Cup will be in the Great Sound. The racecourse will be set daily (and for each race) to deliver a series of short races (approximately 20-25 minutes). The orientation and length of the racecourse will vary depending on the wind speed and direction.
The racecourse is intended to be a windward-leeward course, with a starboard reaching start, two gates (windward and leeward) and a finish line in front of the America’s Cup Village at Dockyard.
Due to critical safety considerations, the racecourse is strictly off-limits to any and all spectator boats....
See the sheltering islands to the left in this image aren't all that sheltering when a system like this hits. There will be plenty of excitement, I am sure, but, better it be good excitement rather than bad excitement. I would hate to see the entire fleet wiped out in one race.
