Sean O’Brien’s back for another report from PWA Alacati, there might not have been much wind yesterday, but that just means the tension is building for today’s action…

Another loooooooooooooooooong day on the beach and sadly not a whole lot to report! After about (what seemed like) 5 agonizing hours on the beach with winds between 3-15 knots – yes, it actually got that strong at some points – the racing was cancelled for the day after only two heats were able to be successfully completed; the first of the men’s and women’s semi-finals.

The men were up first; Pierre Mortfefon (who’s been FLYING all week in these lighter conditions) led straight from the start and booked a ticket to the winner’s final ahead of Ben Van Der Steen, Julien Quentel and Alberto Menegatti. Gonzalo Costa-Hoevel, one of only 3 guys who would have potentially made 2 winner’s finals and had a chance to take the lead spot at the event, ha d a slow second gybe and dropped back to 5th, missing the cut with Finian Maynard in 6th.

Similar, light and gusty conditions continued for the girls’ semi final with Marion Mortefon winning ahead of Lena Erdil, Karin Jaggi and Ayako Suzuki – knocking out local star Cagla Kubat.

Quicker than you can say “heat 14 head to the water” the wind shut off and most sailors were completely de-rigged and on their way back to the hotel by 4pm even though the racing was not officially canned until 5.30pm.

That’s all to report; another long day in the sun baking masts and moving boards around in the ever moving shade. The forecast is a definite improvement and I’m sure we’ll get some racing in – how much, nobody knows! Tune in tomorrow to find out!