WET AND WILD

Thirty-one degrees, clear and sunny, London seems like a world away from the rain and strong wind in Pwllheli that will pose the toughest conditions that the P1 SuperStock teams have encountered in 2010.

Some teams have reported strong wind and waves of 1.4m in height today and with similar weather predicted for tomorrow, both the 150 and 300 class drivers and navigators have said they will be putting the boats under minimal stress so that they are in a good position for Sunday's action in much more settled conditions.

Heights of Abraham driver and 300 class driver Rupert Pugh said: "Tomorrow is certainly going to be rough. Racing in those kinds of conditions is not a problem but we will have to look after the boat for Sunday.  You have got to treat it as an endurance race and not damage the boat going all out in rough conditions."

Galway winners Eclipse, who traditionally go better in a calm race environment, see this as a bigger challenge than rivals Premier Cru and GSS Mermaid because they have less weight to play with inside the boat. Nevertheless, navigator Sara Cureton feels that their experience in Ireland will stand them in good stead to challenge for race wins in Wales.

Sara said: "We are a light crew and we tend to go skywards a lot more than some of the other teams. We are not really suited to rough water so it will be a tough one but after Galway, we are more aware of what it takes to wins in those conditions."

The teams were generally hesitant about using the caution of other teams as an opportunity to capitalise and jump ahead in the championship. The situation will be particularly challenging for Az-tec Racing's Azam M. Ali and Jesus Esteve who debut in Pwllheli, and Stuart Cureton of Team Shark feels the less experienced teams might go at it a little harder.

Stuart said: "The newer teams might see the conditions as an opportunity. But the best thing to do in rough water is stay smooth. Keep the nose down, trim down a little bit and be smooth on the throttle."

Although the teams are likely to hold back, it is estimated that the 150 class boats will only drop around 3mph off their average speed at around 50-52mph while the edgier 300s could lose anything up to 10mph.

But all teams' overarching concern was the safety of the racing both for the competitors and the medical staff who are out there putting themselves on the line.

GSS Mermaid driver David Hobson said: "It will be challenging tomorrow but safety is always the most important thing. We must also remember the paramedics who are out there rescuing us when something goes wrong."