Cream rising at Laser Masters Worlds

Dun Laoghaire, Ireland (September 11, 2018) – The third day at the Laser Masters World Championships saw breezy conditions again on Dublin Bay though lacking the large wind-shifts of the earlier races. As the 302-strong fleet prepares for a well-earned rest day tomorrow, nine of the Standard and Radial rig divisions have comfortable overall leaders.

Australian Brett Beyer extended his overall leading margin in the Standard Master class to 12 points over fellow Aussie David What as the pair again top the 60-boat division that is increasingly becoming a contest for a runner-up podium place.

Italy’s Marco Sorgassi, racing under Irish colours for his adopted home venue reckoned the day was typical for Dublin Bay with strong gusts and plenty of subtle windshifts. “It definitely wasn’t as physical as the opening day but playing the shifts required complete concentration,” said the Radial Master currently in eleventh overall.

Britain’s Stephen Cockerill dispelled any doubts after yesterday’s uncharacteristic 16th place by winning both races of the 58-boat Radial Grand Masters division to continue his overall lead. Meanwhile, New Zealand’s Scott Leith added his fourth race win of the series in the 28-strong Radial Master class where he now enjoys a 10-point lead over Robert Hallawell of the United States.

The run of leading boats continued in the Radial Great Grand Masters where Bill Symes of the United States also won both races in his 37-strong fleet. Fellow American Peter Seidenberg in the Legends fleet for 75 years and over in the Radial class had a Black Flag disqualification in Race 5 discarded so he is still only counting race wins with a healthy ten-point lead.

Event details – Results – Facebook

The field of men and women, 302 entries from 25 countries, is spread across five divisions plus Standard and Radial rigs and is grouped by age ranges: Apprentice age 35 and over; Master age 45 and over; Grand-Master age 55 and over; Great Grand-master age 65 and over; Legend age 75 and over.

Racing will be held from September 9th to 15th with a layday on the 12th.

Source: David G. Kelly