Olympic Games 1996

IYRU Olympic Update

Ignore those signals, sail on!

Catamaran sailors in the Olympic Yachting Regatta today did something they certainly won't want to do when the racing is for real next week - they ignored the Race Committee's general recall signal in an unofficial practice race on Wassaw Sound. Not that it made a great deal of difference, with the German boat clearly over the line, the rest of the fleet accelerated in hot pursuit, leaving the Race Committee boat's signals astern. The fleet, which included most of the strong medal prospects in the double-handled catamaran class, split tacks with those who went left enjoying a slightly stronger breeze than most of the boats which tacked inshore. The three top boats at the first windward mark all went to the left, or seaward side of the course, with GBR rounding just ahead of AUT and NZL, with AUS rounding next ahead of ITA and FIJI, SWE and NOR.

Today's practice race for the Tornadoes, as with other classes, was significant in that it was the last day on which coach boats were allowed on the course - they must be off the water by midday Friday. While there will be unofficial practice races on Friday and Saturday, some two-thirds of the athletes are expected to travel to Atlanta tomorrow for the Official Opening of the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.The first official practice races will be held on Sunday with the first two races of the 1996 Olympic Yachting Regatta set down for Monday, July 22, for all classes except the 470 men and women double-handed discipline.

IYRU Olympic Update