by Olivia Powrie
Day One of the 2008 Laser Radial Men’s and Youth World Championship got underway today, starting on time at 11am. The day brought superb sailing conditions with a constant 8-10 knots of breeze from a north-easterly direction. With the pressure of getting four fleets underway (Youth Men’s split into two) and two races for each fleet each day, the race committee welcomed the consistent breeze.
Tide would have been mentioned in everyone’s conversation today as all the fleets are littered with numerous starting penalties with sailors being caught out by the spring tides. The Youth Men’s fleet being the worst hit with seventeen black flag penalties in the second race of the day.
New Zealand tops the leader board in both the Youth Men’s and Youth Female fleets. In the Youth Men’s fleet Matt Vincent pulled out a fantastic start to the regatta with two wins. Andy Maloney (NZL) is second equal on points with Guilherme Pereira (BRA) on one win and a third placing. In the Youth Female fleet Cushla Hume-Merry (NZL) is on four points with Gabrielle King (AUS) nipping at her heals in second on five points and Chloe Martin (GBR) third on twelve points.
The Men’s fleet is hotly contested with many local laser sailors taking advantage of a world contest nearby and jumping into the radial. Giving them a run for their money are top Laser sailors Brad Funk (USA) and Michael Leigh (CAN) who are first equal on points at the top of the Men’s fleet. James Sandall (NZL) is third on twelve points.
Takapuna Worlds
Wednesday 26 March 2008
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