The event always attracts a huge crowd to cheer the competitors on, with a strong local contingent expected to compete again this year. Photo: Nici Cahill, Snapshot Photography.
Organisers of the San Remo Channel Challenge have made the difficult decision to cancel tomorrow's event.
Ron Nicholson from the Channel Challenge committee said the forecast for high winds and dangerous water conditions was behind the decision.
The event was due to start at 11am on Saturday, February 4.
Although weather was more favourable on Sunday, the nominated back-up date, the required number of water safety people needed to run the event were not available.
The event has now been moved to the first Saturday of December, as organisers said there were no suitable dates and tides available this summer.
The Cowes Classic on February 18 will become the second leg of the Bass Coast Classic, with the third leg now on Saturday December 2.
The Race Centre will be open at San Remo on Saturday morning at the San Remo Hotel from 9am - 12pm to answer any queries and process any refund requests.
"It is a big disappointment," said Ron about the cancellation - only the second in the event's history.
"We were heading for a record number of entries. We nearly had 600 already and if the weather had been good, we would have been well over the record."
He said the cancellation would also impact local traders and community groups like the Scouts and Guides, who had purchased food for the day, intending to sell bacon and egg rolls and hamburgers.
"It's an unfortunate outcome after such a good summer," Ron said.
More details as they come to hand and in next week's Advertiser.
