Alinghi’s 1,000m² temporary sail repair tent in the outer Dársena of Valencia was blown over and destroyed in winds gusting up to 60 knots yesterday morning (14 January 2010).

Thankfully no one was inside at the time and there were no injuries in the accident, but with gale force winds averaging 40 knots anticipated throughout the day the team is taking safety precautions to batten down the other temporary facilities at the Alinghi base in the Dársena (just inland a gust of 80 knots was measured).

“The weather pattern here in Valencia at this time of the year is so far removed from the ideal conditions that we were experiencing in Ras Al Khaimah for these types of boats. Let’s hope the weather settles down for the racing,” said Ian Pattison who manages the sails.

“Just moments before the tent lifted off in what appeared to be a 60 knot gust we were working in the sail tent checking sails in preparation for sailing tomorrow. I decided that in the interest of our own safety we should vacate the area. It was just moments later that the tent took off. We were extremely fortunate that there was no one inside the tent at this time as someone would almost certainly have been seriously injured or even killed,” he added.

“I’d like to thank the emergency services for their assistance with securing the area and we will be all hands to the pumps to get the facility rebuilt as soon as the wind drops a bit.”

CLICK HERE to read Matthew Sheahan’s analysis on recent events and see video footage.