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Italian boat Lino Sonego Team Italia capsized while repaired Australian entry 33 South Racing was denied a return by powerful winds during Friday’s dramatic Extreme Sailing Series round on Sydney Harbour.
Competition was suspended after just four of the short distance races, as winds gusting close to 40 knots buffeted the course.
It was frustrating for the all-Australian crew aboard wildcard entry 33 South, who dashed across the Harbour to re-enter the four-day event after fixing damage caused in a first day collision with Lino Sonego.
In 34C heat and strengthening winds, the Italian boat capsized near the Opera House in the second race.
“A big gust came through and … blew them over,” race director Phil Lawrence said.
“Once they had been recovered we could continue but the forecast was for the wind to go further south, which it has done, which meant it would have come straight through the city resulting in vertical gusts the sailors wouldn’t be able to see.”
The second race was completed but the next was delayed as it took about half an hour for officials to get the capsized boat righted.
“It was incredible it didn’t break,” Lino Sonego team manager Giorgio Martin told AAP.
“The most important thing is that we don’t have any damage and there isn’t any injuries to the guys.”
For the first time in the nine-year history of the series a capsized boat was able to compete in the next race on the same day.
Intensive work on 33 South Racing Thursday night and Friday morning had it ready to go by early afternoon.
“We’ve given it a test run,” skipper Ellen Spithill said.
“We did a couple of laps of the harbour to check and we’re happy and ready for tomorrow.”
Halfway through the final event of the series, Lino Sonego are the last of the nine boats, two points below 33 South Racing.
Day two finished with event leader and soon to be crowned champion, The Wave, Muscat and closest challenger SAP Extreme Sailing Team joint top of the standings.