Shifty winds at day 2 of Laser Masters Worlds
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Laser Masters World Championship - Shifty winds at day 2 of Laser Masters Worlds |
CADIZ, SPAIN-(29-9-2003) The scheduled start of the racing for day 2 was delayed for one hour to allow the forecast sea breeze to build. The wait was worthwhile as racing was started in 6 to 8 knots for the Apprentices and Masters and 8 to 10 knots for the Radials and Grand Masters. The extra 2 knots on both courses allowed for at least some hiking.
Although slightly stronger, the wind was still switching through 30 degrees with a tendency to back to the left as a weather change approached. On the Apprentice and Master course the shift to the left was a more dramatic 35 degrees, occurring on the first windward leg of the second race of the Apprentices. The overnight second in the Apprentice fleet, Mark Littlejohn GBR was especially pleased with this decision as he was well buried at the time the call was made and much preferred his 9th place on the re-start. Although he currently discards this result, he takes over the overall lead, having gained a first place in the first race of the day.
Anders Sorensson from Sweden had a perfect day in the Masters division, being the only sailor to record two first places. These results, together with a win from the previous day, give him an impressive list of 3 first places to take the overall lead from Chris Raab USA.
The Grand Masters and the Radial fleet once again had marginally stronger winds than the Apprentices and Masters. Keith Wilkins GBR started his day badly when he and 3 other sailors were scored OCS as they attempted to take advantage of a slight left hand bias in the line at the start. This race was won by Kevin Pearson GBR. Wilkins could only manage an 8th in the second race one place behind Pearson in a race that was won by newly graduated Grand Master, Mark Bethwaite AUS, who was also scored OCS in the first race. Pearson now moves into the overall lead 4 points ahead of Wilkins.
In the Great Grand Masters Peter Seidenberg USA had another solid day, scoring 2 second places after a close battle with Tom Speed NZL and Heinz Gebauer CAN. Speed equalled Seidenberg's points on the day with a win and a third, whilst Gebauer scored a first and a fourth.
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Source: Laser Intl |