Credit : WMRT
Pre-race preparation and the ability to adapt to the changeable conditions on race day are a pre-requisite if teams stand any chance of combating their opponents on the Pulau Duyong course in Kuala Terengganu from 30 November to 5 December.
Speaking to the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT), Team Azzurra’s Pierluigi De Felice talked first-hand about the dramatic impact the weather could have next week:
“As a tactician, if the monsoon rain comes down hard you have to change your approach. The knock-on effect of a downpour is huge - The rain pushes the water levels up, the currents gain momentum and then the pre-start fight for position becomes even more critical. That’s when teams will take bigger risks which can sometimes define the success or failure of their race there and then.”
Whilst the name that will eventually be inscribed on the ISAF Match Racing World Champion trophy is still far from clear, De Felice is more certain about what conditions he is hoping for next week: “In 2008, the rain relented and with a strong sea breeze drifting in, spectators were treated to a week of close racing in around 10 to 12 knots and excellent conditions. That would be more favourable for sure. Even then, you might think that would make a tactician’s job easier but there is still no room for error.”
Given the unpredictability of the conditions, does race preparation become more critical? Ian Williams (GBR) Team GAC Pindar, who won the Monsoon Cup in 2007, believes every team will follow their own programme: “If you’re not familiar with sailing in strong currents, then you’ll be at a disadvantage. We grew up competing on currents so my team’s preparation is about getting our mindsets into match race mode and using the Australia Cup to adapt to the different time zone.”
Meanwhile, De Felice, said: “It’s difficult to prepare fully for the Monsoon Cup because there is nowhere quite like it. We’ll only really be able to fine tune our approach during the two practice days before qualifiers.”
If the weather has the ability to throw up an air of unpredictability, Williams also cited the Pulau Duyong course layout and umpire decisions as further considerations not to be overlooked, concluding: “The nature of the Monsoon Cup, the number of variables, simply makes it even more open. The title could literally come down to one umpire call, it’s that tight!”
From World Match Racing Tour
