Olympic Games 1996

IYRU Olympic Update

THE VENUE: WASSAW SOUND

The race course at Savannah's Olympic yachting venue is a closed course, and varies in size and configuration depending on the race. The competition area is comprised of four racing areas: The Alpha course for the Mistral class; the Bravo course for the 470, Laser and Europe classes; the Charlie course, also for 470 as well as the Star and Finn classes and the Delta course for the Soling and Tornado classes.

Racing in Savannah during the Olympic Games will have a decidedly different look: shorter courses mean more challenging race configurations. The tricky currents and constantly shifting winds off the coast of Savannah present more challenges to racers: Savannah has a sea breeze with lots of chop and ocean swell. Competitors who have raced off this coastline say the 1996 Olympic medallists will have to work hard for their gold, silver or bronze.

The competition area is set in alignment with the wind; the first leg of each course is sailed upward. As the wind shifts, the course configurations will be changed to keep it in alignment with the wind/ The standard race course is an equilateral triangle with windward , wing and leeward marks, giving windward and reaching legs. The marking buoys are always left to port and, though the start and finish lines vary widely depending on the race, the start is generally at the leeward mark and the finish is at the windward mark (on site soon - details of courses)

During a race, the competing boats all start at the same time, and the winner is the first boat to cross the finish line. The start and finish lines, however, are placed outside the triangle, giving a longer first and last beat. The closed course is usually much shorter than the long-distance courses; races last anywhere from 15 minutes to 4 hours depending on the wind conditions.

Competitors will use the newly constructed Day Marina for their race staging areas prior to racing. Prior to racing, athletes will board large pontoon boats that will transport them to the Day Marina, located about eight nautical miles down the Wilmington River from the Olympic Marina. The ride to the Day Marina takes about 30 minutes by boat; from there the athletes will sail to the race courses from the mouth of the river.

The 150,000 square-foot Day Marina will have space for athlete team tents, showers, storage boxes, repair facilities, boat ramps and tie-down areas where athletes can secure their boats. Also located on the Day Marina will be technical and medical support, food services, offices for competition management and the international federation and broadcast and media space where the athletes can be interviewed following competition.

IYRU Olympic Update