 The Team with coach David Harte and team leader Ann Morris, (L to R) Alyson Rumball, Katie Tingle, Davy kennefick, Tim O'Laoire & Ed Butler Venue : Silvaplana - a small high altitude lake, over 1800 metres above sea level, close to St Moritz in the Swiss Alps. |
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Unfortunately for the Irish sailing team (and many other nations), there was minimal racing and little chance of regaining the placings that they were capable of, during the second 3 days of the event after the Swiss national holiday.
The hoped for Maloja wind never reasserted itself (though it often tried, adding to the confused airs); Winds were cold northerlies from high altitudes, with heavy (and really cold) rain at times. The wind strength and direction was wildly variable. During the 3 days the fleet was on the water for 15 hours during which only two races were sailed, although several others were started and abandoned. At one stage boats were running towards the start line (always on east - west line) from north and south! The 2 races run to completion took place during a seven hour spell on the water. Apart from a handful of sailors (notably Tina Lutz of Germany) who had consistently high placings in the series, most competitors found themselves shunted from one end of the fleet to the other end, in large wind shifts that sometimes benefited but mainly dropped the leading boats to the rear of the fleet. The event was however a great experience overall for the sailors, who were well supported by the team leader Anne Morris and Coach David Harte. The venue was spectacular but the facilities for the sailors were quite limited, both on and off the water. Champs Website >> |
 Lake Silvaplana. Left side is South and right is North. Base camp on southern edge.  Base camp  Close packed fleet on reach in brisk breeze (but little sitting out because air pressure is reduced at altitude) |