35th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda - Day 1

The maxi fleet returning to port - 35th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup day 1 © YCCS / Daniele Macis

The forecast of light winds, but sufficient for racing, unfortunately failed to materialise as dead calm reigned on the first day of the 35th Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup.

The Race Committee went to great lengths to get the action under way, raising the AP flag ashore while they went out to monitor the situation closely at sea. A start was then announced for 1 p.m. CEST, and the Maxi 1 class did get off the line in a very light breeze for a short coastal race, but after a few minutes the race was abandoned before the other classes could begin.

The fleet remained patiently on standby as the Race Committee continued to monitor the weather conditions, but at 3 p.m., with no improvement in sight, the Committee on the windward-leeward course, led by Ariane Mainemare, hoisted the AP over A signal, sending the Maxi Grand Prix class back to port.

Shortly afterwards, Principal Race Officer Stuart Childerley made the same call, sending the rest of the fleet back to the docks, announcing: "We have 3 knots from 270 degrees, however at the Golf and Echo marks on the course there is still zero wind. Unfortunately, the conditions required to complete a satisfactory race today have not materialised."

The forecast for tomorrow, Tuesday 9 September, appears to mirror today's light conditions. The first starting signal has been brought forward to 11 a.m. CEST in the hope of capitalising on the predicted morning breeze.