Fleet start at the Laser Radial Womens Worlds in Karatsu, Japan. Supplied image.
by event media
It was a tough day on the water today for the sailors. After being kept ashore because of concerns about thunder storms, a clearance was given to head to the water and racing started at 1205 in 11 to 12 knots. Like yesterday a shift to the right caused a postponement for the Blue Fleet and a course change to straighten the outer loop for the yellow fleet. Race 3 for the yellow fleet provided the only OCS of the day. Conditions became very tricky for the sailors in race 3 as the sea built to a two metre swell and a decreasing breeze of only 6 to 7 knots. It was very difficult to catch the enticing waves. Despite some intervention by the race committee to decrease the length of the legs the sailors would have been pleased to see the end of a somewhat longer race.
In contrast race 4 started in the lighter breeze that increased steadily during the race with 20 knot gusts by the end. This gave exciting conditions for the sailors with big gains to be made for those who knew how to catch the waves.
Lijia Xu, bronze medalist from Qingdao is one to watch with a second and first today to lead the competition from Anna Tunnicliffe, gold medallist in the last Olympics, who scored a 3rd and a 5th today. With one drop both are on 9 points. Sari Multala from Finland jumped up the leader with a 1st and 3rd today. She won the Pre Worlds at this venue in May. Two races are scheduled for tomorrow.
Last night the inaugural Laser Café Twilight Race was held in the water close to the boat park. Takao Otani, the Radial Worlds Event Organiser, gave an amazing running commentary for the assembled company that included some local dignitaries. Spectators lined the marina to cheer the sailors on. Veronika Fenclove from the Czech republic took out the race from Watanabe the local hero. Jean Luc Michon, the laser Class Vice President and member of the jury sailed a good race to finish fourth in a fleet of 14 boats. A second race is to be held tonight.
Anna Tunnicliffe-Funk at the Laser Radial Womens Worlds in Japan. Supplied image.
Results
1 CHN Xu Lijia 9.0 6 (30) 2 1
2 USA Tunnicliffe Anna 9.0 2 4 3 (5)
3 DEN Lindberg Alberte 11.0 (16) 3 4 4
4 FIN Multala Sari 14.0 (15) 10 1 3
5 ESP Reyes Lucia 14.0 (dsq) 3 9 2
6 CZE Fenclova Veronika 16.0 1 5 10 (17)
7 FRA de Turckheim Sophie 16.0 8 2 (19) 6
8 ITA Clapcich Francesca 17.0 7 (9) 6 4
9 FRA Steyaert Sarah 18.0 1 15 (21) 2
10 ESP Romero Steensma Susana 19.0 6 1 12 (13)
Kiwi placings
17 NZL Winther Sara 25.0 2 7 16 (19)
75 NZL Barrell Jessica 101.0 35 (43) 41 25
Laser Radial Womens Worlds
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