SSL Finals: the heat is on!

Preparations for the most eagerly-awaited regatta of the year are powering ahead. Every hour is now precious as the teams rush to set up their boats and get out on the water to test equipment, manoeuvres and speeds.

The fittest teams are easy to spot even ashore: they just look more relaxed. The rookies, on the other hand, look busiest. Some flew in at the very last minute because of commitments elsewhere and will have less time to get a handle on the boat before the off.

But tomorrow, the fun should begin bang on schedule at 11.00. There will be so many champions jostling for position at the start-line that some spectacular sailing is guaranteed. The tension – and fun – will be racked up a notch or two also by the wind. Forecasts today indicate it won’t drop below 20 knots and won’t be dragging its heels at all during the week.

Training aside, today’s schedule includes registration, weighing and measurement. Then, this evening the opening press conference, attended by leading representatives of the Bahamian authorities, gets underway at 18.30 and will be followed by the opening ceremony.