Racing cancelled on day two of the RC 44 Copenhagen Cup fleet race

[Source: RC44 Class] The wind was blowing too hard to allow any racing taking place today. The weather in Copenhagen led to the cancellation of the races scheduled today. With gusts of wind blowing up to 35 knots and rain squalls, PRO Peter Reggio had no other choice but to call the day off at 3:00 PM.

The RC 44 fleet set sail this morning in fairly strong winds and headed for the starting line. The wind was already blowing at 20 + knots, with big black clouds in the sky. Team Aqua hoisted a spinnaker and broached spectacularly right after, leading the other teams to sail more conservatively towards the starting line. Only Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison were keen enough to also hoist a spinnaker; they said later that they had reached speeds of up to 25 knots.

Highlights from day 5 of the RC44 Copenhagen Cup. Copenhagen, 12 June 2010. Video copyright RC44 Class

Big black clouds and heavy rain soon after led the Race Committee to send everyone back home.

The RC 44 teams will gather back tonight for the traditional gala diner, during which the match race tile will be awarded to Chris Bake’s Team Aqua and their helmsman Cameron Appleton.

The fleet race contest will carry on tomorrow.

Fleet race, provisional results after four races:

1) Team No Way Back, Pieter Heerema, 10, 1, 4, 1 – 16 points
2) CEEREF, Igor Lah, 5, 2, 7, 3 – 17 points
3) Artemis, Torbjorn Tornqvist, 3, 5, 8, 2 – 18 points
4) Team Aqua, Chris Bake, 2, 3, 9, 5 – 19 points
5) BMW ORACLE Racing, Larry Ellison, 8, 6, 2, 4 – 20 points
6) Team Sea Dubai, Harm Muller Spreer, 7, 4, 3, 6 – 20 points
7) Katusha, Guennadi Timtchenko, 6, 8, 1, 8 – 23 points
8) 17, Anders Myralf 4, 7, 6, 7 – 24 points
9) Team Islas Canarias Puerto Calero, Daniel Calero, 1, 10, 5, 9 – 25 points
10) Team Austria, René Mangold, 9, 9, 10, 10 – 38 points