From www.melges24.com - It was a frustrating opening day for competitors and race committee alike at the 2007 Melges 24 European Championship, being hosted in association with Rolex Baltic Week in Neaustadt, Germany, where the wind failed to cooperate. Although there had been some light breeze in the morning by the time the teams reached the race area it had died away to almost nothing. Racing was scheduled to start at 1400 but after two hours of patiently waiting, tracking what little wind there was and keeping the crews regularly updated with the situation Principle Race Officer Walter Mielke was finally forced to hoist AP over A and send the fleet home for the day.
Depsite the disapointment of no racing there was one moment of light entertainment as the boats were motoring back to the dock. It would seem that the 2001 Melges 24 World Championship winning team aboard Franco Rossini's Blu Moon had completely failed to notice one of the large channel marker buoys and motored straight into it. Fortunately the only damage is to their pride and we are pleased to report that the boat and crew are all absolutely fine!
Racing is schedule to being at 11:00 tomorrow and the forecast is for 6-9 knots and from SE to E - so hopes are high that it will be possible to complete at least two races.
All 8 boats registered from the Finnish Melges 24 Association (Finland and Estonia) will be competiting. The boats are: FIN-328, FIN-434, FIN-529, FIN-650, FIN-662, EST-476, EST-645, EST-646. One of our fleets pre race favorite EST - 646 / Tonu Töniste is a boat to watch.
Keep tuned!