| CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA, ITALY-(23-5-2005) The first of seven scheduled races for the Soling World Championship took place this afternoon on the waters of Castiglione della Pescaia.
At the start given at 4.30 p.m., 43crews from 13 nations squared off under a partially cloudy sky with winds from the south between 7 and 2 knots.
The race was then cancelled by the Race Committee at 6.35 p.m. due to lack of wind
The start, originally scheduled for 2 p.m., was delayed by the temporary closure of the harbor due to a cruising sailboat that ran aground at the entrance.
The race foresaw a 14 mile windward ? leeward course, with 4 windward and 3 leeward legs. After two false starts the race kicked off at 4.30 p.m.
In the course of the afternoon the wind died down to 2 knots, shifting dramatically left and the Race Committee decided to cancel the race.
?The grounding at the harbor entrance resulted in a delay of over one hour and a half,? commented Sandro Gherarducci, President of the Race Committee. ?This is certainly a wonderful, but very technical race course. We were hoping for more wind thanks to a squall on the horizon, but the wind died down and turned east. Tomorrow?s forecast calls for north-westerly winds and we should be able to finish two races.?
The opening ceremony took place last night in the magical setting of the medieval village. A minute of silence was observed to honor the memory of Dutch sailor Johannes Segaar, who passed away while traveling to Italy for the World Soling Championship. Alessandra Sensini, Italian windsurf Olympic champion and honorary sailing club member, officially opened the Championship, while 13 children paraded on stage, waving the flags of participating nations. Local authorities and media were also present.
Tomorrow the first start is scheduled for 12 p.m. In the evening the Club Velico Castiglione della Pescaia has organized a dinner for participants and spouses, highlighting Maremma?s culinary and wine specialties.
The Soling World Championship has been organized by the Club Velico Castiglione della Pescaia, in collaboration with the International Soling Association, the International Sailing Federation, the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and the committee Circoli Velici della Costa Etrusca.
The Race committee is chaired by Sandro Gherarducci, Councilman of the Italian National Sailing Federation (F.I.V.). The International Jury is formed by Tullio Girali, Italian; Kostas Tsantilis, Greek and Judge at the past Olympics in Athens; Christian Pupien, Belgian; Ilker Bayindir, Turkish; e Henri Peronneaut, French.
The event has the patronage and support of the Province of Grosseto and the Municipality of Castiglione della Pescaia. It has been made possible thanks to the contribution of Consorzio Albergatori Firenze Hotel de la Pace, SLAM, Banca della Maremma Credito Cooperativo di Grosseto, BMW Concessionaria Auto Fratelli Gori di Grosseto, Banfi, Ristorante Pierbacco, C.O.A.R.O, Scalambra Service, Casa Vacanze, Acot Castiglione della Pescaia, Studio Trend, La Gardenia Profumerie.
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