Light winds wreaked havoc on day five of the Hempel Sailing World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark yesterday.

The race committee had hoped that the morning forecast for eight to ten knot breezes would increase to 12 knots with gusts up to 20 knots by the afternoon. However, it was not to be with only half of the various fleets managing to race on Aarhus Bay.

Bermuda is among the participating countries competing at the 2020 Olympic qualifier which runs until August 12.

Cecilia Wollmann is gunning to qualify for a second straight Olympic appearance having competed in the Laser Radial in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

The top sailor is competing with crew Michael, her brother, in the foiling Nacra 17 class where they presently occupy 57th spot among a fleet of 68 after three races with best showing of 25th so far.

“I am excited to be back on the race circuit,” Cecilia said.

“It was difficult this year with my university studies and me being in the UK and my brother in Bermuda to do as much training as we would have liked. We will be behind the curve and looking to catch up to the other teams who have been training full time for the past year testing their boats.”

Michael is enjoying the challenge of competing against some of the world’s elite.

“It’s exciting to be sailing in this class against some of the top sailors in the world such as 2016 Gold medallist Santi Lange and Nathan Outteridge who drove Artemis boat during the America’s Cup in Bermuda,” he said.

Also flying the island’s banner is Rockal Evans who is 71st in the 90-strong Finn class after six races with a best showing so far of 29th.

The sailor had made significant improvements both in his sailing technique and fitness since moving to Sydney, Australia, last year to focus solely on 2020 Olympic qualification.

“The move to Sydney has been instrumental in preparing me for this event.

“I have been able to train with the Australian team in Sydney, averaging three hours a day on the water five days a week,” Evans said.

“Although I am not officially part of their programme, I am able to take part in their on-the-water training and receive valuable input from the sailors.

“In addition, I have an intensive gym programme five days a week, twice daily, with two focused sessions a week with a personal trainer.

“I have reached my target weight goal, have seen big improvements in my downwind free pumping and consistency with my speed upwind and have seen notable improvements in my physical strength, fitness and endurance on the water and recovery times.

“Not having funding to secure a full-time coach still continues to be my biggest hurdle.

“However, thanks to the International Finn Class Association, they identified me as a sailor who would benefit from the Emerging Nations Programme and have provided me with access to a coach for this event, which included participating in a pre-event training camp.”

Bermuda is also being represented in Denmark by promising sailor Benn Smith, who is 152nd in the 165 strong Laser fleet after six races with a best showing to date of 42nd.