"Pre-World" kicks off with light wind

Ali Meller believes in a very competitive championship

The first day of the Quebramar - 505 World Championship had a delay of almost three hours, in result of the poor wind registered in Cascais, and it was only possible to conclude one of the two races scheduled for the first day of the "Pre-World".

Today and tomorrow, 19th and 20th of September, are reserved for the sailors to get to know the race fields and this portuguese regions conditions. Despite that almost all the sailors participate, it doesn't punctuate to the world championship, that only starts on saturday (22th of September).

MySkipper.com spoke with Ali Meller, president of the International 505 Association, who arriveved yesterday to Cascais. His first reaction about Portugal is that it is «a very warm and sunny country, with nice and friendly people».

About his favourites in this championship, Ali said that «Krister Bergstrom – five times world champion – and his crew are always strong candidates and there are some southern californian and british teams that could fight for the title. I think it will be a very interesting and competitive championship, with very good teams that, since the world championship last year in Durban, have progressed a lot».

He also added that there are some good portuguese teams in competition and suggested them to «ask whatever they need about the boat to the other more experienced sailors of this class». We remind that Portugal haven't got an active 505 fleet and for all of them it's the first experience with this boat.

For tomorrow, 20th of September, there are scheduled two races, with first one starting at noon.

Aires Afonseca