Laser World Championship gets underway

Published on July 2nd, 2015

Kingston, ON (July 2, 2015) – The opening day of the Laser Standard Men’s World Championship had the 155 competitors divided into three fleets to commence the qualifying stage of the event. The day began with 10 knots of breeze from the South/West, increasing to 15-17 knots to complete two races.

Yellow flight began the day with a clean start. At the first mark rounding, the fleet was led by Juan Maegli GUA, followed by Nick Thompson GBR and Bruno Fontes BRA. ISV’s Cy Thompson battled his way to the front of the pack to win the first race, with Maegli GUA in 2nd and Elliott AUS in 3rd. Thompson GBR and Fontes BRA finished 5th and 6th respectively. The second race for the yellow flight was led by Thompson GBR, followed by Maegli GUA, and Kacper Zieminski POL. Maegli GUA was able to pass Thompson GBR and take the lead, finishing first in race 2. Thompson GBR followed in 2nd and Zieminski POL in 3rd.

Blue Flight started the day with a general recall, followed by a black flag start. All sailors were clear of the line, with Matthew Wearn AUS beating the rest of the pack to the first mark. Wearn was able to lead the fleet through the race and finish first. Following him in 2nd was Jeemin Ha KOR, and 3rd Martin Evans GBR. In Race 2, Pavlos Kontides CYP beat the flight to the second mark, with Wearn AUS behind. Wearn AUS passes Kontides CYP in the next leg, and held his lead to finish first. Kontides CYP followed in 2nd and Charlie Buckingham USA in 3rd.

Red Flight also had an aggressive start to the day, with one general recall, and a black flag start. All were clear at the start, with Philipp Buhl GER leading the pack at mark 2, and to the finish. Andy Maloney NZL followed behind to finish in 2nd and Robert Scheidt BRA finishing in 3rd. Race 2 was led by Buhl GER with Scheidt BRA close behind. Sam Meech NZL was able to battle his way to second by the 2nd downwind mark, and keep his speed to pass Buhl GER. Scheidt had to do penalty spins at mark 5, and fell to __ place. Meech NZL was able to finish 1st, with Buhl GER in 2nd and Francesco Marrai ITA in 3rd.

Matthew Wearn AUS currently sits in first place with 2 points, Juan Maegli GUA in 2nd with 3 points and Philipp Buhl GER in 3rd also with 3 points. Another day of qualifying series tomorrow, with racing beginning at 1130. Racing runs daily until July 8th from Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.

Qualifying is scheduled to continue through July 5, after which the fleet will be divided to begin the final series (July 6-8).

Event website – Results – Facebook