While Britain has basked in unseasonably warm and sunny conditions this week, the weather has also been doing unexpected things in America and Spain.
The start of the third leg of the Velux 5 Oceans race from Norfolk, Virginia, due last weekend, had to be postponed until Wednesday while hurricane force winds swept through.
Meanwhile in Valencia, the Louis Vuitton Cup, supposed to determine the challenger for the America's Cup, threatened to descend into farce with racing cancelled four days running because there was no wind at all.
It was hoped that racing could finally begin in Valencia today after a meeting between regatta director Dyer Jones and representatives of the 11 teams competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup agreed to “reboot” the regatta.
They are hoping that Round Robin One will be completed by Wednesday, with Thursday and Friday currently earmarked as reserve days.
Any matches lost will be raced at the earliest opportunity on the next race day. This is a change from the current system, where matches, or flights that cannot be completed on schedule are pushed to the back of the program.
BMW ORACLE Racing business director, Russell Green said: “We are pleased that the race committee has not started racing so far in marginal conditions. It is paramount that the quality of racing is maintained. We have all worked for the past three or four years to prepare for this event.”
While agreement has been reached on the plans for Round Robin One, discussions are to continue before the remaining Louis Vuitton Cup schedule - Round Robin Two, the Semi Finals and the Finals - is finally agreed. Meetings are likely to continue over the weekend.
“We recognize that going forward the racing schedule may have to be further revised to ensure that the fundamental principle of good quality racing is observed,” said Green.
Meanwhile, it's business as usual in the Velux, with race leader Bernard Stamm in Cheminees Poujoulat establishing a commanding lead from the start line, heading for the finish at Bilbao like an express train. He is hotly pursued by Koji Shiraishi in Spirit of Yukoh, virtually assured of second place overall.
Behind them, Unai Basurko in Pakea is further back in third place, with Sir Robin Knox Johnston in Saga Insurance cloe behind in fourth. Sir Robin's progress has been hampered by finding the sail compartment flooded, and has been forced to turn off the wind for bailing operations.
And there's further bad news for backmarker Graham Dalton in A Southern Man AGD, who has yet to finish the second leg of the race and has been forced to put into port yet again, in Bermuda this time, for repairs to autopilots and a shredded sail.
It is now looking seriously doubtful whether he will be able to reach Norfolk, Virginia, in time to start the third leg within the rule limit of one week after the official start.
For more information visit www.americascup.com and www.velux5oceans.com
