Sustained winds of 45 knots (52 mph) for over 30 minutes.
Peak winds were 49 knots (56 mph). 2 boats sank--many
bent masts, broken bits, and ruined sails.

An account from the 2006 Soling Worlds

(During the 2006 Soling Worlds in Annapolis, MD, a full gale blew
through the fleet on Friday, October 20th. American Peter Galloway, who
finished 5th overall in the event, provides his account of the storm.)

The wind was at 20-25 knots and building fast for the first lap of the
race, and we now were getting ready to round the second windward mark,
just behind Canadian Bill Abbott. It was far too windy to set chutes -
probably 35 knots at that point - and on our first gybe we blew out the
vang. Despite sailing the leeward leg with the boom skied (ever try to
gybe without a vang?), we managed to remain in control. However,
conditions continued to worsen for the third weather leg, and we were
forced now to completely rag our sails to stay upright. Others were not
as lucky at this point, with boats now sunk around us or with dropped
sails and bailing like mad.

When we got within 100 yards of the final windward mark, then it got
really windy! Maybe 45+ knots. We now had so much water onboard, and
with all sails ragging, we essentially stopped forward progress against
the huge sea, which prevented the drainage bailers from keeping up with
the constant waves of incoming water. We realized it was now time to
save ourselves.

We went to drop sails (the jib took care of itself by blowing off the
headstay), got ourselves into a safe condition, and bailed the boat.
That took about 45 minutes, but during this time we were drifting
toward the eastern shore. When we were about a mile from it, we
recognized that we would have to fend for ourselves if we wanted to get
back to Annapolis. The RC boats were far too busy trying save
themselves and others in more serious trouble. One boat lost its
engine, and others could not make headway. It was bedlam everywhere.

Once we were safe, I crawled forward and hanked on the jib. We were
able to sail back upwind to Annapolis, bailing periodically but doing
about 4-5 knots through the water. We arrived 1-1/2 hours later, fully
exhausted, and only about the 10th or 12th boat to get back in. Others
trickled in over the next couple of hours, with everyone having a
harrowing tale to tell. The German team (reigning world champions) had
its skipper knocked overboard when the boom clocked him. They got him
onboard safely and dropped sails, then drifted under the Bay Bridge,
where a crew member swam to a piling with the anchor line and tied them
to it. Once bailed out, they could set the jib and sail back.

In the end, two boats completely sank, there was one broken mast, plus
a half dozen or so bent masts. Every single boat had something broken,
but in the end, thank goodness everyone was accounted for with no
serious injuries. - Peter Galloway, event website:
www.solingworlds.com/worlds/2006