Monsoon Cup - Day 1 - Preview: Let the battle begin, weather allowing

Good morning from rainy Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia. Well, they don't call it the Monsoon Cup for nothing. Torrential rains have been pouring over the city for the last 24 hours and from what it appears as we are writing this (8am local time) it will not end any time soon. My, and obviously everybody else's, hope is that the adverse weather won't seriously affect the racing schedule.

Tuesday's training session was, unfortunately, marked by the heavy rain and the painstakingly light wind conditions. It was tough watching the world's best sailors drift in a very light breeze, topping 4 knots probably, and get wet soaked. My photos are also of dubious quality. I was on Francesco Bruni's boat, hoping to capture what could be an intense match race with young gun Torvar Mirsky but I was left with no option but to seek refuge in the boat's pit.

According to the initial schedule, the round robins begin at 4pm but in the skippers briefing at 10am it is possible the schedule is altered and the morning practice session gets replaced by racing.

Francesco Bruni helming his yacht in very light and rainy conditions. Kuala Terengganu, 1 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Pierluigi de Felice and Benjamin Durham in action during their practice race. Kuala Terengganu, 1 December 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing