Three Continents on Top at Laser Masters Worlds

Published on April 25th, 2016

Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico (April 25, 2016) – The second day of the 2016 Laser Masters World Championships (Radial division) stayed on schedule, completed two races for the five age divisions.

The race Committee had to initially postpone while the afternoon thermals built, but started the first race at about 1330h, 30 minutes after the scheduled start time, in 7 knots of breeze. The wind built over the afternoon, to 13 knots, shifting left and requiring several adjustments to the alignment of the trapezoid course. With four races scored, sailors can now discard one race from their overall total.

Scott Leith (NZL) maintained his lead in the Apprentice division, with a first and second (discarded), followed by Jon Emmett (GBR) and Alejandro Rabago (MEX), as before, although Rabago had to discard a 16 from his U-flag disqualification for starting early in Race 3. Carlos Edwardo Wanderly (BRA) likewise maintained a strong lead in the Masters division, discarding a second, followed by Alessio Marinelli (ITA) and Richard Blakey (NZL).

Australia is currently dominating the 49-boat Grand Master division, with Jeff Loosemore still in the lead, followed by Vanessa Dudley and Greg Adams. But Jean-Yves Fillion (USA) is tied with Adams in points, in fourth place only on a tie-breaker. Kathy Luciano (USA) won Race 4, but double-digit finishes currently keep her out of contention.

William Symes (USA) moved up to lead the 36-boat Great Grand Master division, discarding his third from yesterday, with Robert Lowndes (GBR) dropping back after having to discard a Did Not Compete (DNC) in the first race today. The United States continues to lead the 75+ division, with Peter Seidenberg and David Hartman in first and second, but closely followed by Kerry Waraker of Australia.

Two races are scheduled daily from April 24 through April 30, with a midweek layday on Wednesday, April 27. With 136 sailors from 18 countries, masters sailors are aged 35 and over, with a division for each decade of age – Apprentice, Masters, Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters, and 75+.

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