#fireball – After Day 1 of the Fireball Europeans in Bracciano, Rome no races have been completed. As forecast, we woke to rain this morning and an offshore wind blowing away from the club site writes Cormac Bradley. When the sun peeked out we could see the white caps on the waves moving away from us. In the distance we could see windsurfers scudding along the water.
A one hour postponement was signalled, pushing the projected start time to 14:00. At 13:30 the fleet started to launch - possibly incorrectly, but understandable. Thereafter we sailed around for the best part of nearly 4hrs before a start was initiated. Many didn't hear the sound signal and the majority of the fleet sensing a hard left shift went for the distant pin! What should have been a beat turned into a two-sailed fetch.
The first reach was hairy - evidenced by the lack of a solitary spinnaker.
The gybe mark was littered with capsized boats but at least some spinnakers were flown as boats went left and right from the gybe mark. After reaching the leeward mark, we passed to windward of the committee boat and saw that they were flying N over A - Abandonment!
Problem was that the leaders were already spinnakering back to the leeward mark.
What followed was a long slog back to base. The mood ashore was a mix of frustration, relief, consternation and wonderment.
Why had it taken so long to get started - 20 degree shifts, fluctuating wind strength, a malfunctioning anchor winch on the committee boat - in 300ft of water!!
Why abandon - rescue considerations, wind strength (average of 22 knots).
Relief - all the boats were safely ashore.
Logistics also contributed to the problems. The abandonment ashore was set for an hour and the fleet went afloat of its own accord. It may well be that the PRO didn't want the fleet at the start area given the conditions and his difficulties. The wind direction also meant that the committee boat had to be anchored in very deep water. Had the prevailing winds blown, he would have been in a much more manageable depth, with the club being on a lee shore.
The various emotions were salved by the supply of huge bowls of pasta for the competitors and officials, made on the spot.
The catering arrangements have been excellent - pasta (€4/plate) & filled rolls made to order!. Free bottled water and a ticket system for beers. Boat parking is a bit congested, as to be expected with a 105 boat fleet.
An L flag tonight advises that 3 races are scheduled for tomorrow.
