Sailing schedule hit by 'dead calm'

Olympic sailors suffer from lack of wind in their sails

Olympic organisers are worried that they may not be able to complete all the races in the sailing regatta before the Olympics end due to a lack of wind.

Since the regatta began last Sunday, light and unpredictable winds around Sydney Harbour have wreaked havoc, causing constant hold-ups and postponements

Organisers are now concerned that the races for all 11 classes may not be concluded before the closing ceremony on October 1.

On Thursday, where eight classes were due to race on five courses around the Harbour, races were delayed while organisers waited for the wind to pick up.

Glenn Bourke, Sailing competition manager, said September is the most fickle month of the year for wind in Sydney, with the unpredictable conditions ranging from dead calm to gale force.

Racing in the 11 classes has been staggered over two weeks in an attempt to beat the conditions. Each class has at least two reserve days built into its schedule to make up for lost time.