Youth America’s Cup: Day 1 – Significant swell anticipated to challenge Youth teams
by America’s Cup/Sail-World 17 Sep 04:53 PDT
Andoo Team Australia © Ian Roman / America’s Cup
A large swell of up to one meter, coupled with initially light winds, is predicted to challenge the Group A teams, representing the America’s Cup syndicates, as they aim to complete four fleet races in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.
The substantial swell is being generated by a mistral further north in the Mediterranean. Sea conditions are expected to remain the same or worsen for the Semi-Finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup, which resumes tomorrow, Wednesday.
One meter waves are nearly at the limit for sailing AC40s, potentially resulting in some impressive nosedives.
LIVE COVERAGE
Race Summaries:
Racing commenced around 1538hrs UTC
Finish
Race 1: ITA 18m 01sec; USA +1m 03sec; NZL + 1m 24sec; GBR +3m 09sec; SUI +3m 14sec. FRA DSQd. NZL Penalised OCS at start. Wind 16.3kts
1235hrs UTC: From the Race Committee – the AC40s are about to dock out
The AC40 docking has been delayed due to light winds and high sea state.
Racing is postponed in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup due to a substantial swell of up to one meter alongside initially light winds. The fleet has been grounded.
Wind limits and course regulations for the Youth America’s Cup differ slightly from those in the America’s Cup, with a notable lower starting wind limit of 7.5 knots. The upper limit is also lowered to 17 knots, with safety as a primary concern for the AC40 fleet. Races have a reduced time limit of 30 minutes, and the time limit to the first mark is also shortened to 10 minutes.
Each race in the fleet-races aims for a target time of 20 minutes, and boats must be within the starting box area within 2 minutes and 10 seconds or incur a penalty. Penalties are set at 75 meters. The startline will be extended to 0.25 nautical miles for fleet races, with legs of the course approximately 1 nautical mile, depending on conditions.
Today in Barcelona, winds are expected to begin from the east and gradually shift to a south-easterly direction, generating relatively even courses similar to when the AC75s raced under these conditions in the Round Robins, with balanced pressure and shifts across the course.
These conditions could offer, particularly for the AC40s during fleet racing, multiple passing opportunities, requiring Youth sailors to keenly observe the boats for pressure and shifts. Wind speeds are projected to increase, with the official forecast indicating 6-10 knots; however, a ‘Xaloc’ wind in Barcelona may exceed expectations.
Weather Forecast:
America’s Cup Weather Partner PredictWind has established a dedicated Race Weather Center, providing fans with detailed daily weather analysis, live webcams, and historical data compiled by meteorologists.
Tentative Forecast Race Day 12: To be updated.
Tuesday 17th Sept
Forecast for Tuesday 17th Sept – Youth America’s Cup Day 1
In the early afternoon, light and variable winds are anticipated, with a southeast flow of 5 to 10 knots expected to develop. Waves of 1 meter from the east with a 5-second interval are forecasted. It will be overcast with temperatures reaching 24°C.
The weather is forecasted to deteriorate later in the day and at night, with moderate to strong easterly winds and a chance of rain.
