The race team were keen to get the ball rolling early on Day 1 of the SSL European Qualifiers with heavy rain and possibly thunderstorms due in the late afternoon, but with only 2 knots of wind on Lake Neuchâtel, they were forced to delay the first start.
Thankfully after 20 minutes things improved, and the powerful SSL47 yachts with their 22 metre tall rigs are able to get powered up in even the lightest of breezes.
The three teams lined up for the first start side-by-side, but were collectively seven seconds late to cross the line with the Austrian Eagles claiming the early advantage. Connecting the patches of breeze and minimising manoeuvres was going to be key, maintaining boatspeed at all times.
On the final upwind leg at the first cross Austria had a slender lead, tacking directly on top of Estonia, forcing them back to the right, rounding the top mark ahead, but Austria chose to gybe early downwind. This left Estonia to go all the way to the layline, which they nailed perfectly, crossing the finish line just ahead of Austria.
Australian Eagles Captain Thomas Zajac – and Olympic medallist – said on the battle: “It was tense! We were always trying to focus on ourselves as much as we could, but at the same time we needed to check the other boats. We enjoyed the tight racing – it wasn’t getting boring I can tell you!”
After an hour’s delay when the wind switched off completely, the Race Committee decided to switch the groups on the water to try and get one race in for everybody, but the heavens opened and with lightning nearby the Race Officer was forced to raise AP over A and cancel racing for the day.