Racing was cancelled on 18 July for the second successive day for the 95 boats competing in the 470 European Championship at the Royal St George YC, Dun Laoghaire.

The strong winds had subsided a little by the afternoon and there were high hopes that there might be racing in the evening, but the sea state after the storm force winds was considered to be too dangerous. “While they might conceivably been able to race it was almost certainly too dangerous to be out laying courses and they are probably being consistently cautious with regard to rescue cover and the like, so it is certainly the right decision.” Commented RYA/Team GBR’s 470 coach Adam Bowers.

At odds with the decision is a predictably disgruntled Nick Rogers who with crew Joe Glanfield will lose out on the chance of a second discard as three races at least will be lost from the championship series. “It is not even so much the discard issue, really what we want now is just to get back out there on the water and get in some good results.” Explained Nick.

Sitting right on the cusp of the crucial top 10 at 11th in the Women’s fleet are Josie Gibson and Saskia Clarke and they too need to get some good, counting results from the maximum of three races which may be sailed today (Thursday). “We have done a lot of work with the girls over the last couple of days and hope that it will take effect tomorrow. Fortunately they have a bit of a points gap behind them and there is not many points separating them from a seventh place.” Bower revealed.