Storms persist at Sunfish World Championship

Lewes, Delaware (October 8, 2013) – Heavy conditions continued on the second day of the Sunfish World Championship, with a howling northerly gradually diminishing during the day. Four races were completed for the 74 entrants; the last two in under 10 mph with a big, lumpy sea, making for an interesting challenge for many of the sailors who had depowered for the morning.

The early northerly conditions of 18-25 mph brought big waves as the bay is wide open from that direction. Skies are cloudy and temps are in the 60s. Several sailors had their boats pummeled on the surf leaving the beach, causing a frenzy of repairs/replacements of spars, rudders and bodies. Only about 45 of the 74 sailors left the beach for the first race.

Lots of activity with people getting permission retroactively to change parts that exploded on the beach. But it’s clear that things have tightened up at the top. Defending Champ Alex Zimmermann broke his rudder before the first start of the day leaving the beach but was able to replace it fast enough to make the start and win the first two races.

Alexander Zimmerman (PER) leads with 19 points, followed by Americans Paul-Jon Patin and David Mendelblatt who are tied at 22 points.

Conditions were expected to deteriorate after today. Current results after day two.