We were due to see a final race for one of the teams today at the climax of the Round Robin Phase of the Challenger Series, it was most likely Orient Express. But as the earlier weather forecasts had suggested, around race start time there was severe rain and high likelihood of lightning. The outcome was a delay in racing until 3:15 pm local time in Barcelona. At 3:15pm there was a further delay announced until 3:45 pm due to wind conditions.
After 6 delays for weather and wind speed, the race was scheduled to start at 16:20 local time but at 4:12 pm local time the day was cancelled. The racing will be put off until tomorrow, the weather forecast already looks much better for tomorrow.
The wind in Barcelona was borderline in the later afternoon, and from the time of the storm until late in the evening the winds were forecasted to slow, not increase.
Orient Express Had A Chance To Repair Their Boat
This is fantastic for team Orient Express Racing Team who have experienced significant boat problems today, the extra time they have now will be gratefully accepted by them.
Before the race Orient Express took some damage to their boat. The damage appears to have been to the bowsprit; running repairs, which went as far as Carbon Fibre and Epoxy, had them racing to the start line, literally, being pulled at breakneck speed from the loft to the racing track. They made it to the race track on time, but then sat still as the wind had all-but disappeared.
Back to shore for today, on Monday the teams will return for the final day of the Round Robin series.
