Contact Ali Meller, VP International 505 Class Yacht Racing Association at alimeller@aol.com.
Yesterday, the first day of pre-worlds racing, was an incredible day... the race started in about 18-20 knots, and it just built from there, reaching well over 35 before the finish. Both the closer FD course and the further 505 course were well downwind of the launching area, so competitors faced a long sail upwind in the extreme wind and sea conditions after racing. A number of teams retired during the race and sailed in. Only two of the 21 Flying Dutchman that started the race, finished, while only about 18 of the 58 505 starters finished.
Whether they finished the race or not, most competitors had a long sail back to the launching beach, while the wind increased to over 40 knots; the RC reported steady 42 and puffs to 50.
A majority of teams were able to get back to the launching beach on their own; a credit to the seamanship of the competitors. There are many new stories to tell of incredible puffs, huge waves, boats getting airborne off wave tops and more.
Two competitors who returned early were watching the rest of the fleet struggle in and reported that defending World Champion driver Howie Hamlin, racing at this Worlds with Peter Alarie, launched off a wave while beating upwind. The wind caught the bow and lifted it such that the hull got to near vertical. Howie and Peter fell off the back and the boat capsized. An English team returned to the beach with jib torn leech to luff, and the mainsail held together by only the leech line. With no jib drawing and rather less than 1/3 of the main drawing, the crew was flat out on the wire, the skiper was fully hiked, and the boat was planing -- smoking -- upwind.
An FD and a damaged 505 that was taking on water were forced to sail over the Durban shark nets and head for the swimming beaches and the breaking surf. The FD suffered slight mast damage, the 505 was OK. Both boats were trailered to the club.
Others were not as lucky. Up to 17 masts were broken between the 505 and FD fleets and two boats were abandoned and had to be left to drift.
After several hours of rescue work, all competitors were accounted for. One needed stiches to close a gash near his eye, and everyone has their share of bruises, but there were no serious injuries.
The wind is still blowing very hard today, similar to the extremes of yesterday, so there is no racing. In the dinghy park new masts are being rigged, boats are being repaired, and competitors are preparing to race tomorrow, if conditions allow.