The 2008 J24 World Championship is being held at Cannigione - Gulf of Arzachena, Sardinia commencing 05 June 2008. Pete Ramsdale and Trevor Boyce are representing Bermuda.

2008 Worlds Website

Light winds in the morning for a practice before the practice - our chute went up sans numbers so that was the panic of the day - where to get numbers on a sunday - hmm. Out on the grass with a main with numbers, and spin for the worlds biggest tracing exercise. Becky is very good with the lines, Ann is trouble with scissors - in the end we had sticky numbers cut out of tape.

Skippers meeting next where Peter Regio briefed the competitors, and advised amending the instructions so course A is now B and B is now A. This was met with a lot of bafflement - the good news is that everyone is confused, so they’ll issue another clarification tomorrow.

Practice race had lots of recalls, the 1/2 mile line had the boats at one end or the other, we tried the boat end, the pin end, and the middle. Half the fleet didn’t come back after the fifth recall and sailed the course anyway. We sailed the “proper” sixth start and went deep right, which wasn’t the way to go. Boat speed ok, ironing out the wrinkles with getting the boat round the course (new top lift, downhaul, mainsheet, and cunningham today). Jury advised they didn’t like our sail numbers so we now have to colour them in - will try and get to sailmaker early tommorow and get ones cut. Breeze was genoa then jib, leading to nothing on the way back in.

This evening was the grand opening - all the local dignitaries, and I mean all of them, stod on the stage and gave a speech, which was then translated into Abassyinian (at least I think it was). This went on for 4 or 5 hours, then a procession of villagers in national dress, dragging their kids along in junior national dress (they looked delighted to be dragged away from sitting on vespas, or whatever they normally do) - and why is national dress so badly designed - surely no one ever wore this to go to the shops or wash the donkey? After this we had the fireworks display - the main street was closed off to traffic, ambulances and fire brigade were on hand, and a few rockets were launched over the sea - leading to lots of smug looks from the sophisticated visitors. Then Luigi dropped his match in the bigger box, which wasn’t from Standard Fireworks, and we had a very pretty display, ringing ears, and lots of oooh’s and aaah’s. Fine end to a fine day.

“I must remember to put the pins in the mast. I must remember to….” Repeat after me “I must remember…”

Some thought Trevor has a tad too much mast rake, but actually it had just fallen down. The casual approach to life in Sardinia meant that after pulling up the rig, the crew stepped away for an expresso, and the rig fell over. No one hurt and the boat is back together again.

Sadiiqi was splashed today - after leaving the safety of the dock the engine died (sigh) so frantic attempts to restart, avoid expensive yachts, and get into berth with a modicum of dignity. Boat rigged, mast properly bent, and tuned, and all ready for the off tomorrow. Didn’t go out for a test sail as it was in the 30’s (knots not centigrade).

Skippers meeting tomorrow then practice race - forecast is stonking wind. Shelagh arrived like a rock star after all the work had been done - she’ll pay for that!!!!

Things at Casa del Nova Waveissimo getting interesting - was so cold last night Gary slept in his bobble hat. Lots of discussions about “who’s on top tonight” - whatever that means. What goes on tour, goes on this web site.

Team Black Seal (Mike L) is all primed and ready as well - should be a good week.

Day one of measurement - hmm. Pete is now a worlds measurer as the local team don’t seem to have shown up! Sadiiqi boat as per usual sailed easily through measurement apart from a slight issue with weight (too light), keel (too narrow, too long), and rudder (too thin). These things are simply fixed in italy by shrugging at them - so we’ll be doing a lot of shrugging tomorrow, along with sanding and epoxying.

Mike L., Nigel, and importantly the stash of Goslings showed up early. Trevor and the Nova Wavederci’s s showed up as well - little Bermuda is taking hold.

Friday will be busy for the measurement team - 20 boats done, 57 to go.

Pete

After an ungodly 3:45am wake-up call, a bleary eyed advance party for Team Sadiiqi set off on a cattle flight to Olbia, and a short drive to Cannigione.

So far lots of similarities to Bermuda – islands, blue sea, oleander, jasmine, and a lot of Italian restaurants. We felt very at home with the driving – very casual approach to lane discipline, a steady refusal to obey speed limits, overtaking at inopportune moments, and a complete disregard to parking neatly – most parked cars looked like they’d rolled to a stop after the driver had collapsed at the wheel. One way streets and traffic signals are merely a suggestion to motorists – again reminiscent of Hamilton.

Crews and J24s are starting to arrive – we go looking for our boat “Mollica” tomorrow – no easy task with 80 white boats with no names – boring. Weather sunny, warm (not hot), not humid, and 20 knots of breeze. Race course is 15-20 minutes from the marina – wonderful set up so far. Our apartment is next door to the J/24 Worlds Village – a quick stagger back after the parties will be in order. Tomorrow fixing boats starts, and measurement on Thursday.