Squalls, tornado watch at Sunfish World Championship

Published on October 7th, 2013

Lewes, Delaware (October 7, 2013) – Dark skies and the threat of hideous weather later in the day greeted sailors on the first morning of the 43rd Sunfish World Championship. The first race started with a stiff southerly that jumped to 30 mph right at the start immediately separating the leaders from the pack.

Things moderated back down into the 20-25 MPH range after 15 min or so, but as the fleet worked its way upwind on the second beat a squall came through with driving rain that felt like little pins on the face. Wind was sustained at over 35 MPH for about 10 min and gusts were approaching 45 MPH. But the sailors kept on. Breakdowns were everywhere and visabiity was down to a few hundred yards at times.

In the end Defending Champ Alex Zimmerman (PER) took the race, followed by Malcolm Smith of Bermuda and Hank Saurage of the US. All of this is unofficial. Results are not posted yet and the protest period has not passed.

The fleet is in for the day as we ride out a coming storm line under a tornado watch. Racing continues through October 11. Current results.