Dutch builds lead at Laser Radial Worlds

Melbourne, Australia (February 27, 2020) – Rio Olympic Champion, Marit Bouwmeester (NED), is putting on a sailing masterclass at the ILCA Laser Radial World Championship. Completing three races today, she (above) had a hiccup in Race 8 when a massive wind shift caught her out, but her scores of 1-24-10 has allowed her to open a 24 point gap on Line Flem Host (NOR), her nearest rival.

The championship has been raced in a variety of conditions, from the very light winds of the first two days through thunderstorms, 25 knots with big waves, and today’s moderate winds on a cold and grey Port Phillip. In all conditions, Bouwmeester has looked quicker and her boat handling has been slicker.

She has been helped by the fact that other leading contenders have all had at least two high scores. But a net of 21 points from nine races, with another drop to coming into play after the first race tomorrow, makes it is easy to see who the dominant radial sailor is right now.

“It was really tricky out there today,” said Bouwmeester, a sentiment echoed by defending champion Anne-Marie Rindom (DEN): “It was a tough day, the shifts were hard to predict, one mistake and you get punished.”

Rindom had dropped back in the pack after four double-digit results but a fourth in the final race elevated her back into bronze medal position.

Olympic Qualification
Sarah Douglas (27th) continues to slip in the standings after a 26-51-32 today but is the only Canadian to qualify for the gold flight ahead of Maura Dewey, Clara Gravely, and Coralie Vittecoq.

Five sailors represent the USA with the event as the final stage of the nation’s selection series. The top three all slipped today with Erika Reineke (21st) and Paige Railey (22nd) tied on points ahead of Charlotte Rose (32nd). Tomorrow is decision day with Railey leading selection by seven points over Rose with Reineke a point back.

Men’s Radial
Russian star Daniil Krutskikh maintained his record of top 10 scores today in the men’s division, with 5,2,3. His drop remains a sixth place from yesterday. He said that he had worked hard on being consistent in all conditions and was comfortable with the winds and weather that Melbourne has delivered.

Three Australians are fighting for the minor medals, with Brody Riley on 35 points, Michael Compton on 39 and Stefan Elliot-Shircore on 43.

Today’s winners were Stefan Elliot-Shircore, Nik Pletikos (SLO), and another Australian, Zak Littlewood.

Event information – Race details – Results – Facebook

The final day of racing tomorrow will feature three more races with chilly temperatures forecast but with a more predictable southwesterly seabreeze. The racing schedule is from February 23 to 28.

Day Five Results:

Women (Top 10 of 105; 9 races, 1 discard)
1 Marit BOUWMEESTER (NED) 21
2 Line FLEM HØST (NOR) 45
3 Anne-Marie RINDOM (DEN) 55
4 Magdalena KWASNA (POL) 58
5 Emma PLASSCHAERT (BEL) 60
6 Josefin OLSSON (SWE) 60
7 Maxime JONKER (NED) 60
8 Annalise MURPHY (IRL) 70
9 Manami DOI (JPN) 71
10 Alison YOUNG (GBR) 83

Men (Top 10 of 66; 8 races, 1 discard)
1 Daniil KRUTSKIKH (RUS) 13
2 Michael COMPTON (AUS) 28
3 Brody RILEY (AUS) 28
4 Stefan ELLIOTT-SHIRCORE (AUS) 37
5 Nik PLETIKOS (SLO) 41
6 Gustavo CORREA NASCIMENTO (BRA) 44
7 Mario NOVAK (CRO) 56
8 Luke CASHMORE (NZL) 69
9 Zac LITTLEWOOD (AUS) 70
10 Frazer BREW (AUS) 70

Source: Roger McMillan/Laser 2020 Media