All racing on Day 6 of the Garmin Hamble Winter Series was cancelled, due to adverse weather conditions.

Chatting to Race Director Jamie Wilkinson later in the morning, it was interesting to talk through the factors that led to the decision. As usual, the main committee boat Condor was on station by 09.00 in the Hill Head area assessing the conditions for the Black Fleet, with the decision already having been made to cancel all racing for the smaller boats of the White Fleet on safety grounds.

At 07.00 the wind forecast was 20 to 25 knots from 170 to 180 degrees, backing later to 150. When this was updated to an additional 5 knots (which incidentally proved to be correct), the wind strength became a prime factor. In addition, low water Portsmouth was at 10.06 which almost coincided with the time of the first start, and it meant the ebb would then be running against a strong wind. On top of that, there would not be quite enough water over the Hill Head plateau to allow a course to be set there, which was a major disadvantage. As if that was not enough, the committee boat would lie beam on to the elements, making it difficult to work and almost impossible to do anything else, as anyone who knows the Solent in these conditions will be aware.

All these factors combined to bring about the reluctant decision to call it off. Not that the sailors were entirely disappointed - put yourself in their boots on such a cold, wet and miserable day, and there would certainly be a feeling of relief.

All fingers are now crossed for some decent sailing conditions on the two remaining days of the series.

11:43am Monday 19th November 2007

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