Here’s what can you expect from Match racing, Finns and Stars on the first day of the Games
Conditions could not be better, sunshine and a forecasted WSW breeze of 15-18 knots makes for a spectacular opening to the 2012 sailing Olympics. Today, Saturday is practice day for three fleets. Here’s what’s in store:
1330 Match racing gets under way on the Portland Harbour course area
1400 Finn – The first of two races kicks off on the Nothe course, alongside the spectator area. In a break from the norm, this race is expected to have a finish at the top of the beat, rather than on the run, in order to provide a racing finish climax for the crowds on the Nothe spectator area.
Race expected to be around 50 minutes.
1530 Star – The Star fleet has just one race today and will be on the Weymouth Bay West course which, although further offshore is still the closest to the town’s beach. Race expected to be around 60 minutes.
1540 Finn race 2 – Finns join the Stars in the same course area for their second race. Race expected to be around 60 minutes.
While today is a practice for the sailors, the racing on the Nothe course represents a milestone in Olympic sailing. There will be plenty watching closely to see if the grand spectator experiment will work.
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www.yachtingworld.com/olympics-2012
What when and where?
Download the race schedule showing which classes are sailing on which course areas as well as details of the courses themselves
www.yachtingworld.com/olympicschedule