Youth Champions Defend Titles in Denmark

September 2008 YOUTH EUROPEAN’S Slingsby takes trophy CHAMPIONS Mutala dominates Women’s Champ DEFEND Goodison wins 4th title TITLES IN DENMARK

LASER 4.7 Record growth David Kneale/Volvo David Ocean Kneale/Volvo Race/onEdition Caribbean Laser Championships

CANADA - Venue for 2009 Masters Mathilde De Karangat ©

COPYRIGHT AND LIABILITY No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publishers. The articles and opinions in LaserWorld may not represent the official views of ILCA. The publishers do not accept any liability for their accuracy. 2 LaserWorld September 2008 Youth Champions Defend Titles in Denmark The 2008 Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World In the Girl’s Laser Radial fleet the 2007 maintained his dominant position at the top Championship brought together over 240 champion was also defending her title. Last of the Laser standings throughout days 3 and young sailors from 58 nations in Århus, year Gabrielle King (AUS) spearheaded her 4 and by day 5 had done enough to secure Denmark. nation’s success story, which ended with the the title. Luke Lawrence (USA) secured the Australians winning the Volvo Trophy. Like silver medal, whilst Sam Meech (NZL) won the The reigning Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Kontides, she has already built on her 2007 battle for bronze. Champions in both the Boys and Girls One success, most notably winning this year’s Person Dinghy events returned to defend their Laser Radial Youth World Championship in In the Laser Radial class, the 2007 champion, titles. Pavlos Kontides of Cyprus dominated New Zealand. Gabrielle King (AUS), started well and was the Laser series in Kingston last year to win by second overall to Isabella Bertold (CAN) after a race to spare and now, aged 18 and in his The event began with the competitors’ parade the first day. The defending champion gained last year at the Youth Worlds, he started as hot through the city proudly waving their country overall lead after day 2 with consistent top five favourite for a repeat performance in Denmark. flags following a marching band to the Town positions as Isabelle Bertold fell to 2nd place Since winning gold last July, Kontides has Hall where they were officially welcomed just two points behind. Gabrielle King proved Radial Youth put in some notable performances on the to Denmark. The Opening Ceremony was herself on day 3 with two race wins to increase senior circuit. His performances have merited a Royal affair with the HRH Crown Prince her overall lead to six points. New Zealand’s him more than just selection for the Cyprus Frederik of Denmark greeting the teams, Cushla Hume-Merry had her best day of Youth Team and following on from Denmark, volunteers and Organizing Committee to the the series with a 3rd and a 4th lifting her up Kontides will travel to Qingdao, China, where city of Århus. into second overall, just ahead of Denmark’s he will represent his nation at the 2008 Olympic Cathrine Sofie Hall. On day 5 King added a Sailing Competition. In total 46 nations will be Big breeze, waves and frequent rain storms third bullet to her scoreline and maintained her represented in the Laser fleet this year - a new made for an adrenaline-charged regatta. Shifty run of all top-five finishes to extend her overall record for an event at the Youth Worlds. winds throughout the week proved a good test lead in the Laser Radial fleet for both the light and heavy wind specialists. King scored her fourth and fifth bullets of Reigning champion Pavlos Kontides got his © David Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race/onEdition the championship on day 6 to take the title series underway in style by leading the first in style. “I thought after day two it was a race from start to finish. However, in the possibility to win and then things kept going second race he was left at the back of the my way and ended up with this win. This is fleet after hitting the pin end at the start, the best event, I love it,” said the ecstatic but sailed through the fleet to young Australian. Susana Romero of Spain recover to second place won the silver medal, just four points ahead of behind Denmark’s New Zealand’s Cushla Hume-Merry who was Thorbjørn awarded bronze. Schierup. He carried on leading Pavlos Kontides (CYP) became the first ever the fleet with another two-time winner of the ISAF St Lawrence two first places on Trophy, presented to the winner of the Boy’s day 2, making it look One Person Dinghy event – an incredible very easy out on achievement considering the sailors to have the water in the big come closest to it in the past (by winning one breeze. American Luke gold and one silver medal) are Russell Coutts Lawrence also showed (NZL), Ben Ainslie (GBR), Dean Barker (NZL) Pavlos Kontides. consistency with two and Dan Slater (NZL)! Kontides explained, second places lifting him “It hasn’t sunk in yet that I have won. I can’t to second place overall believe that two people from my country are in and pushing local Århus the top ten, it is great. This is my fifth and last sailor Thorbjørn Schierup Youth Worlds and I can’t believe I am the only into third. Kontides person to win two gold medals.” The Volvo Trophy went to Great Britain with © David Kneale/Volvo Ocean Race/onEdition gold medals in both the girls and boys 29er fleets but the fight for second place was a close fought one with New Zealand pipping Australia to the post by just two points.

Full results available: http://www.isaf.com/24448.php

J. Celal Tumsen. Gabrielle King. www.laserinternational.org LaserWorld September 2008 3 Challenging conditions for European Senior Championship © Thom Touw Standard Senior Standard

Sailors at this year’s European Laser Senior The first day of the Championship had their work cut out for them finals series also with demanding conditions at the North Sea turned out to be the coast in Nieuwpoort, Belgium. last one as racing on Day 6 had to be Physical stamina and sound tactical skills abandoned in the were required to take advantage of the strong face of adverse currents and the blustery south westerly wind weather conditions ranging from 5 to over 20 knots. with forecasted For the qualifying series, sailors were split winds of 28 to 30 into 3 fleets and Day 1 got underway with knots and steep fair weather conditions and a 14 to 18 knot waves. westerly wind. The first race of the day went The first finals smoothly and saw reigning World champion race was Tom Slingsby (AUS), reigning European slightly delayed champion Paul Goodison (GBR) and world- but then got ranked number 36 Bradley Funk (USA) underway with winning their respective fleets. The start of a stable wind Paul Goodison. the second race was made more difficult by of around 18 a turning tide resulting in 1 general recall for knots. Deniss the green fleet and two recalls for the yellow Karpak (EST) and red fleet. Slingsby scored another bullet, scored a 1st in the gold putting him at the top of the leader board fleet, followed by Marc de Haas © Thom Touw ahead of Goodison and Michael Leigh (CAN) (NED) in 2nd and Goodison in who were tied in second place. 3rd. Day 2 saw overcast weather conditions with The last race of the championship wind that dropped from 12 to around 8 knots in started after two general recalls the first race but then built up again throughout in the gold fleet and 4 black the day to over 18 knots, providing for some flags issued to Leigh, Del Solar, enjoyable downwind racing. The first race of Funk and Dan Beleben (GBR). the day went to Slingsby, Rimsas Laurynas Porozynski delivered another good (LTU) and 2003 European champion Vasilij performance and led home the gold Zbogar (SLO) in their respective fleets. fleet in this final race, followed by In the second race starts became quite difficult Stipanovic in 2nd and Arvid Claeson again due to the direction of the current, (SWE) in 3rd place. Tom Slingsby. but after another general recall for each It was the worst day for Slingsby in fleet the second race got underway. Tobias terms of scores with an 11th and 6th Schadewaldt (GER) made the challenging place finish, but overall had no effect © Thom Touw conditions work for him and scored his second on his position at the top of the leader 1st place. Slingsby finished 4th but this did board. He was crowned winner of little to challenge his top position on the leader the European Trophy with an 8 point board where he was followed by Goodison in lead over Goodison, who, in Tom’s second and Zbogar in third place. words, is “his biggest threat in Day 3 started with a slight delay due to a China”. It has been a successful commercial ship entering the harbour but sailing season for Slingsby in finally got underway with a strong current and Europe this year; having already a steady 10 knot breeze. Slingsby scored scored 1st places at the Holland another 1st place, as did Tonci Stipanovic Regatta and Kiel Week, this is (CRO) and Matias del Solar (CHI) in their his 3rd ISAF Grade 1 win in 2 fleets. In the second race the red fleet had months. Goodison, who like to be recalled once but then started cleanly. many sailors has been training The wind dropped to 6 knots throughout the hard and losing weight for race leaving some sailors struggling against Beijing, was unsure how well the current to cross the finish line. Diego he would do in the strong Romero (ITA) made up for his black flag winds and currents. He disqualification in race 4 by scoring his first needn’t have worried as he finished race win. The winners of the other two the regatta in solid second place with 25 fleets were Jean Baptiste Bernaz (FRA) and points and took the European Champion title Joaquin Blanco Albalat (ESP). for the fourth year in a row. Zbogar, the 32 year old sailor who won the bronze medal The challenging conditions continued on for Slovenia at the 2004 Olympic Summer the last day of the qualifying series with Games in Athens, finished 7 points behind strong currents and a breeze ranging from Goodison on 32 points. 15 to 20 knots. It was, however, a fantastic day for Polish Number 1 Karol Porozynski Overall it has been a very successful who scored two 1st places in these tricky regatta with 151 entries from 27 countries. conditions. Slingsby delivered another solid For full results, reports and pictures for this performance, scoring a 2nd and 1st, allowing championship, please visit our website at him to stretch his overall lead over Goodison http://events.laserinternational.org/en/events/ to 11 points. Goodison scored a 26th in race overview/100z19 7 and a 2nd in race 8, leaving him just ahead of Zbogar finishing 5th and 3rd.

www.laserinternational.org 4 LaserWorld September 2008 Stiff competition at European Laser Radial Women’s Championship The Koninklijke Yacht Club in Nieuwpoort, Sailors were greeted by overcast weather of the competition on 8 points. Van Acker situated on the North Sea coast in conditions on day 2 of racing. Multala also finished 1st in the second race, Belgium, welcomed 102 sailors from repeated her magnificent performance by allowing her to keep her second place 32 countries to this year’s European scoring another 2 bullets. De Turckheim with 17 points. De Turckheim recovered Laser Radial Women’s Championship. remained in 2nd place on 8 points after from her 26th and 10th place the day Overall, conditions were challenging to scoring a 3rd and 2nd place, still closely before by scoring two 2nd places which say the least with a combination of strong followed by van Acker on 10 points. put her back up into third place, five currents and a blustery south westerly Steyart moved from fifth into fourth points behind van Acker. wind ranging from 5 to over 20 knots. place in front of Lucia Reyes (ESP) and De Turckheim kept on fighting for the The undisputed star of this year’s Laser Szotynska after a 3rd and 6th place finish lead on the first day of the finals series in Radial Women’s Championship is while Sarah Blanck (AUS) shot up the the Gold Fleet and sailed away with two Finland’s Sari Multala. The 30 year old leader board from 17th overall to 8th 1st place finishes placing her in second sailor from Helsinki took the championship overall after a 2nd and 7th place finish. position above van Acker who finished

Radial Women by storm with an impressive 11 points in Race conditions were challenging on the 2nd in both races. Multala did enough to 10 races. penultimate day of the qualifying series hold the top spot on the leader board with Day 1 of racing got underway with blue with a strong current and winds ranging a 3rd and a 4th place. skies and a 14 to 18 knot westerly wind. from 6 to 10 knots. Blanck, World ranked Adverse weather conditions called an The pace was set for the rest of the number 3, seemed un-phased by the early end to the European championship championship when Multala won both demanding environment and continued and so Sophie de Turckheim finished races of the day in her fleet, positioning her successful journey up the leader board the championship in second place, 3 her at the top of the leader board. Sophie by finishing first in both races, settling in points behind Sari Multala, winner of de Turckheim from France also started fourth position on 15 points. Two points the European Championship 2008. It the championship on a high with a 1st and ahead of her finished van Acker and was a great outcome for Multala who 2nd place finish in her fleet. Defending Szotynska on 13 points. Multala seemed had been beaten to the top spot at the European champion Evi van Acker (BEL) to struggle with the conditions in the Kiel Week regatta by de Turckheim by finished just 1 point behind de Turckheim second race and finished 26th, however, 2 points the month before. The results with a 3rd and 1st, while World champion with the first discard coming into play she certainly show that the competition was Sarah Steyart (FRA) and Katarzyna remained in first place on 6 points. tough at the front of the Radial Women’s Szotynska (POL) both finished the day The last day of the qualifying series Championship and one might wonder on 6 points overall. got underway after a slight delay due what could have been if the second day to the pin end boat not of the finals series hadn’t been called holding anchor, but after off due to forecasted high winds of 30 © Thom Touw this minor hiccup the knots. The two sailors were joined on first race started in a 12 the podium by last year’s champion Evi knot westerly breeze van Acker in third place who finished just which grew to 16 knots 2 points behind de Turckheim. The trio as the race went on. had dominated the course throughout the Multala was back on championship, each scoring only twice form scoring a 1st, as outside the top three, and finished the did Cecilia Carranza finals with a 14 point gap from the rest Saroli (ARG) in her of the fleet. fleet. The second race was started after a Interested in attending next year’s general recall for both European Laser Radial Women’s fleets and the growing Championship? Application forms will breeze and choppy be available on our website later this water tested the year, keep checking our website at sailors’ skills. Multala http://www.laserinternational.org/ scored another 1st, You can find full results, reports & pictures at staying miles ahead http://events.laserinternational.org/en/ events/reports/100z18

Sophie de Turckheim, Sari Mutala & Evi Van Acker. © Thom Touw

Evi Van Acker. Sari Mutala, European Laser Radial Women’s Champion 2008. www.laserinternational.org LaserWorld September 2008 5

60 countries participating in Laser 4.7 regattas internationally LaserGrowth 4.7The of the © Greg Harrowsmith The Laser 4.7 continues to grow at a the development of sailing. If it was bad W e fantastic rate as more and more parents, surely we would not be seeing the large will also clubs and countries are attracted to an participation and growth that we now have. introduce a easy single-handed development pathway. Laser sailors have gone on to sail Star, programme of Starting with the Optimist the Laser 4.7 Finn, Tornado and 49er at Olympic level developing and takes over as the rapid growth changes of whilst many others are making a living training Laser 4.7 adolescence kick in. Thereafter, according on the professional keel boat circuit coaches. to development, boys and girls can move and in the Americas. It seems like Laser Our World Championship on to the Laser Radial and for some boys, was good for all these! finally on to the Laser Standard. programme will continue Youth Olympic Games to visit new continents to The Optimist class does a great job in give maximum opportunity providing many regattas at both national In February of this year the International for sailors all over the world to and international level. If you are brought Olympic Committee announced Singapore experience. Next July we visit up sailing in this environment then it is as the venue for the first Youth Olympic Brazil! natural that sailors will look to continue Games to be held in 2010. The Laser in a similar environment as their bodies builders and other class builders were Jeff Martin outgrow the Optimist. invited by ISAF to make a bid to supply ILCA Executive Secretary single-handed equipment. ISAF selected What class delivers a similar national and 15 and 16 years old as the age group. The international programme to the Optimist? International Olympic Committee limited The Laser 4.7! In fact it is the only ISAF the total number of competitors to 100 class that gets anywhere near the Optimist boys and girls split between sailboards and numbers no matter how you measure it. single-handed boats. Interest in the Laser 4.7 is so high at the top level that, for the first time, we had to The Laser builders offered the Laser 4.7 introduce a qualification system for our and also offered to supply Laser 4.7 for 2008 Laser 4.7 World Championships to all six of the qualification events. Their provide a fair distribution of places among bid emphasized the strength of the Laser the 40 interested countries wanting to send 4.7 as evidenced by the high number of entries and that was with a 400 competitor countries competing in the Laser 4.7 at entry limit! international events, over 1000 Laser 4.7’s sold every year, the pathway from youth We’ve hit a record 39 countries entering to senior Olympic competition and the fact the 2008 World Championship. From the Laser is a tried and tested product 2006 to 2008 inclusive, young sailors that is popular at all levels of sailing and from 60 countries and all six continents has proved itself in the Olympic arena have taken part in Laser 4.7 regattas by delivering increased single-handed internationally. participation for both men and women. The Pathway works Unfortunately the Laser 4.7 bid was not successful. The ISAF Executive Committee Two examples of progression taken from followed the recommendation of their 4 opposite ends of the world (and climates) person working party to select the Byte are Tuula Tenkannen from Finland who C2 as equipment for the Youth Olympic finished 5th in the girls fleet at 2006 Laser Games. The equipment selection process 4.7 World Championship, was the girls for the Youth Olympic 2007 Laser Radial Youth World Champion Games was different from and in 2008 finished a very respectable the process that will be used The Legend - Robert Scheidt. 12th in the Women’s Laser Radial World © Thom Thow Championship. From Brazil, Baepi Pinna, in November for the 2012 went from 48th in the 2006 Laser 4.7 World ‘Senior’ Olympic Games. Championships to being the runner up in ISAF announced that the 2007 and then on to take a 22nd in the Laser 4.7 may be used Laser Radial Youth World Championship for some of the qualifier just 3 months later. Another Robert Scheidt events for the Youth in the making? Watch this space. Olympic Games. What is most exciting is seeing how The Future the Pathway works in developing sailing countries where the Optimist pioneered Our goal for the future is the start of sailing for young people. As to build on the existing sailors progressed from the Optimist they very strong base and went on the Laser pathway and now we universality of the Laser are seeing new countries at Laser 4.7, 4.7. We recognise that is Laser Radial Youth and Laser Standard important to offer events events. In the last 3 years the Laser 4.7, each year for all youth Laser Radial and Laser Standard have age groups at all levels. been used together for the first time in the We will promote more African Games and the Asian Games. In continental and regional fact in many countries Optimist and Laser events to reduce racing is the only racing that takes place! travel costs and give Tuula Tenkannen. opportunities for more Some people may say that is not good for sailors. www.laserinternational.org 6 LaserWorld September 2008

Canada to host 2009 World Masters

Nova Scotia, Canada, has won the bid thousands of square feet of open grass © Duncan Enman to host the World Laser Standard Senior space. Located at the centre of it all, the Championship and the World Laser 4,000 foot clubhouse looks out onto the water Masters Championship in 2009. and will serve as the central headquarters for The St. Margaret Sailing Club, the event. The club has a long history of Halifax, Nova Scotia, will be the passionate support for dinghy events, and venue with athletes competing on the has a strong track record for successfully waters of beautiful St. Margaret’s Bay. hosting exciting one-design events.

The Championships will take place “This is exciting news for the St. Margaret’s from August 17th to September 5th Bay community”, said Judith Streatch, Minister 2009; the World Laser Standard Senior and MLA of Chester and St. Margaret’s Championship 2009 will be followed by Bay. “The Laser World Championships the World Laser Masters Championship will bring the sport to life for our sailing 2009. The last time the World’s were athletes and everyone in the community.” held in Canada was 28 years ago. Sailing in St Margaret’s Bay. The organizing committee was St. Margaret's Bay is known as recently presented with a cheque from one of the premiere sailing venues Health Promotion and Protection in North America, and for good for $240,000 to help prepare the reason. The pristine bay consists venue for the World championships. of approximately 5x7 miles of The 2009 Laser Worlds organizing committee unobstructed, clear Atlantic is co-chaired by Rod Millar from the St. © St. Margaret Sailing Club waters. The racing area is free Margaret Sailing Club and Barbara Pike of shoals, islands, commercial from the Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron. traffic, and currents. It is aligned with the prevailing southwest “This is the largest sailing event ever held in winds and generates a 20-25 eastern Canada,” said Pike. “This is not just knot breeze on sunny days, a two or three day event. This is hundreds of often with large ocean swell. athletes competing on St. Margaret’s Bay for Typically, the sea breeze almost three weeks.” “We are also extremely will maintain its direction thankful to the municipal and provincial within 5-10 degrees governments for the financial support they throughout the day. The have provided to date, and specific thanks to air temperature is typically Events Halifax for all the help they provided low-to-mid 20's (70F). in preparing this successful bid,” said Millar.

The St Margaret Sailing Club. The St. Margaret Sailing Club is located For more information please visit the website: on the Earner shores of the bay. The www.2009laserworlds.org club boasts a large beach shoreline and

1 Rolex Miami 25-31 Jan 09 2009 Events 2 Princess Sophia 4-10 Apr 09 3 Semaine Olympique Francaise 18-24 Apr 09 Breitling Regatta 4 27-31 May 09 5 Kiel Week 20-28 Jun 09 6 ISAF Youth Championship 9-18 Jul 09 World Laser 4.7 7 Championship 24 -31 Jul 09 (Subject to agreement) 8 World Laser Radial Championship 28 Jul - 10 Aug 09 9 World Laser Standard & Masters Championship 20 Aug - 5 Sep 09 10 Sail Melbourne 15-20 Dec 09 www.laserinternational.org LaserWorld September 2008 7

Our class President, Heini Wellmann, explains the legal restrictions concerning the importation of Laser boats and spares.

The one design principle - through the Laser legislation and regulations – consider the Construction Manual agreement and the import of a trade mark protected product into Class Rules - makes sure that all Laser a country where the trade mark is owned sailors have identical boats, spars, and sails by another company an infringement of at their disposal. There is no performance the intellectual property (IP) rights of that difference in the equipment to ensure that company. These regulations allow the owner only the skill, tactics and physical preparation of an IP right to request customs offices to of the sailor make the difference in winning detain or not release goods which the IP or losing a Laser race – and sometimes luck! owner believes infringes its IP rights. It should This is the heart of the Laser’s success. also be noted that these restrictions apply for both new and second hand boats. Since the Laser became an Olympic class and later the Laser Radial, many of the top Therefore, by buying a new or second hand sailors are professionals – at least during the Laser in one country and importing it into a last two years before the Olympic Games. country which is in the territory of another They travel all over the globe. For example builder, you risk that the other builder takes during the northern hemisphere winter, legal action against you. This has already Independent of the possibility to buy a Laser many European sailors train and compete in happened in the past: Lasers have been for your exclusive personal use where you Australia or New Zealand. The Australians seized and detained by customs offices and like, you need to consider two other aspects: and New Zealanders travel to Europe in have been returned to the country of origin There is a Laser dealer in almost every country May, June and July to participate in the big at considerable cost to the person trying to of the World. This is an important service to European regattas. The Class also organises import the boats. current and future owners of a Laser boat. the World Championships alternating around However, in the case of the Laser there is an Spare parts are readily available in case of all six continents. additional agreement to be considered. Before need. If you buy through your local dealer you Therefore, it is important to know whether a being selected as Olympic Equipment, all are helping to preserve that service and you sailor can buy a Laser, spars and sails in any builders, the class and ISAF have signed an do not have to go to the trouble of worrying country and import it to his home country. agreement that defines the rights and duties about import duties and transport, which can This is only possible under certain very strict of each party during the period the equipment be tedious operations. If sailors, during short conditions, as the Laser boat is protected by is selected for the Games. In one part of the term currency variations, shop around and trade marks. agreement it is specified that the trade mark, buy the boats wherever they are a little bit trade name or copyright holders and the cheaper, then the local dealer cannot make a Some legal considerations are necessary manufacturers will allow any individual sailor living anymore, will go out of business and all to understand the sailor’s rights and duties. and/or organisation to buy a boat ready to sailors of that country will have to import the The following is based on the advice of an sail, spare parts and sails from any licensed spare parts from overseas. international trade mark specialist at the builder/producer/dealer worldwide, provided request of the Class: Finally consider the warranty given for a new that such purchase is for the exclusive use hull. If you buy your boat in a country that is Most commercially used trade marks like of the sailor or organisation and is not used not in the same trademark area as your own, Coca Cola®, Nokia® and Nescafé® are in a business or trade or for any commercial you cannot expect the trademark owner for owned by the corporation, which uses them activity. your country to support a warranty claim for on a worldwide basis. For the Laser trade In summary: independent of any trade mark such a boat. mark this is different: each builder owns the rights you can buy where you want, but solely Laser trade mark for the territories they sell Therefore support your local dealer and buy for your exclusive personal use. You need to locally. into. You can find these territories on the organise the transport yourself and obviously ILCA web site, http://www.laserinternational. pay the import duties and taxes in your home I hope this clarifies the issues and I wish you org/manu.htm . country. You are not allowed to buy several happy sailing. International trade mark agreements – boats and then sell them to your friends. This supported by national and multinational is also valid for second hand boats. Heini Wellmann, Class President

and Laser Radial Fleets, with seven for © Josh Lehrer, www.windypics.com the Laser 4.7. The top finishers included Kyle Rogochenko in the Laser Standard Atlantic with top Junior sailor Ben Liebowitz. In the Radial Fleet David Alfoso was first with Chanel Cloutier Beaudoin top Coast female. Dominique Racine won in the Laser 4.7. Champs Results: Laser Standard The Atlantic Coast Championships for the Kyle Rogachenko 11 pts Laser Standard, Laser Radial and Laser Royce Weber 17 pts 4.7 were held on July 12-13 at the Brant Rob Crane 23 pts Beach Yacht Club, New Jersey, USA. The Laser Radial Atlantic Coast Championships received a David Alfonso 25 pts huge turnout and great racing for the Brant Max Lopez 54 pts Beach Yacht Club. Ideal sailing conditions Dylan Finneran 57 pts with a thermal driven SSE wind at 10-12 knots greeted the 175 sailors on both days Laser 4.7 Dominique Racine 10 pts of sailing. Nearly 30 Canadians braved the Wendy Reuss 14 pts trip to New Jersey. Christina Frost 20 pts Eight races were sailed for the Laser Standard http://bbyc.net/LaserACCs/index.htm

www.laserinternational.org 8 LaserWorld September 2008 European Laser Radial Men’s Championship 2008 The European Laser Radial Men’s for being over the start line when the black Sea. Jon Emmett, scored a 10th and a 4th Championship began on 12th July alongside flag was flown. Wojciech Zemke and Filip taking him down 1 place to second overall. the European Laser Radial Women’s Matika (CRO) both won in their fleets in race Wojciech Zemke scored a 1st and a 3rd Championship at the Koninklijke Yacht Club, 3, and Zemke scored a 3rd in race 4 keeping allowing him to take overall lead on 12 points, Nieuwpoort, Belgium. The beautiful blue the overall lead. just 3 points ahead of Jon Emmett. Mathieu skies, good wind of 7-10 knots and nice Frei had his best day of the regatta, moving waves helped get both Championships off to Wojciech Zemke led with a 1st and a 3rd up to 3rd place overall with two bullets in a good start. place on day three, holding the overall lead by 2 points over 2nd place Jon Emmett. races 7 and 8. Two races were sailed on day 1 with the An issue with the start vessel caused a slight westerly wind picking up to between 14 and Day four saw Jon Emmett recover his overall delay for the fleets on day 18 knots. The first race started smoothly lead with two six, the first day of finals with a win for both Mathieu Frei (FRA) first places from racing. A replacement and Wojciech Zemke (POL). Mathieu Frei Wojciech Zemke was soon found, the Radial Men wasn’t as lucky in race two, disqualified for who also took a I won the race committee members being over the start line under the black flag, 1st place in race 5 race by such transferred and the following a general recall. The overnight of the second fleet boat positioned ready lead was held by Jon Emmett (GBR), Michail to sit just one point a margin they for the start, causing a Aristeidis (GRE) and Wojciech Zemke all on behind Emmett in delay of half an hour. 3 points. second place overall. Jon Emmett said missed me off Luckily, the wind was Day two of racing saw two races sailed in “In the light winds I the results! reasonably steady from overcast weather conditions. During the first won both races very“ the south-west and was race the south-westerly wind diminished from between 16 and 18 knots. 12 knots to less than 10 knots. There was a comfortably (the last race of With the wind remaining general recall in the second race of the day I won by such a consistent the race committee were able to the day, with 11 sailors margin they missed me off start the first and second race back to back. disqualified the results to start with!) and Mathieu Frei sailed well again on day six moved into the lead overall”. scoring a 2nd and a 1st allowing him to take the overall lead. Wojciech Zemke and Jon The first race of day five Emmett” both had a disappointing race 9 was slightly delayed due © Thom Touw to the pin end boat not scoring a 9th and 11th respectively but fared holding anchor. Once this better in the final race of the day. Mathieu was resolved the first Frei took the overall lead on 14 points, closely race got underway with followed by Wojciech Zemke on 15 points and a steady westerly wind Jon Emmett on 17 points. of 12 knots at the start. All scheduled races were cancelled on the Throughout the race the final day of racing due to adverse weather wind increased steadily conditions. Average winds of 23 knots were to reach 16 knots at the measured close to the shore line with steep finish with a consistent waves in the bay. In the afternoon winds wind direction. of between 28 and 30 knots were forecast, After a short break for calling an early end to the European Laser lunch, the men’s fleets Radial Men’s Championship 2008. got on the water again Mathieu Frei (FRA) was the overall winner for race eight with of the European Laser Radial Men’s winds in excess of Championship, followed by Wojciech Zemke 18 knots. The wind and Jon Emmett in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Matthieu Frei. strengthened even more throughout the race to Full results at http://events.laserinternational. reach up to 21 knots, proving challenging org/en/events/results/100z17 for sailors unfamiliar with the choppy North

19th Open Caribbean Laser Championships The "Caribbean Laser Championship" is back. ahead of Joylon Ferron in the Youth category. Youth. From the 6th to the 8th of June 2008 the 1. Joylon Ferron Caribbean Laser Championships returned, Next year will be the 20th edition of the Open on the island of St.Maarten, after 1 year of Caribbean Championship and Organisers plan absence. to make it special. If you love to sail in warm, blue water, and salsa all night long then make The combined efforts of Organizer Frits Bus, the your reservation early for next year. Rental St Maarten Yacht Club and financial sponsor Lasers are limited so book early. Heineken Beer, alongside a perfect location and conditions made the regatta a huge success. The 2009 regatta will be on 6-7 of June 2009. Sailors from all around the Caribbean and as far as Canada enjoyed the azur blue Caribbean Contact info@smyc or fritsbus@caribserve. Sea at Baie Orientale where the regatta is net. known for its friendly attitude and leisurely Results: sailing but still with a fierce competitive spirit. Laser Standard. The regatta began with 12-16 knots winds on 1. Brett Wright, Bermuda. the first day with lots of windshifts proving to be 2. Markku Hamala, St.Barths. challenging competition. 3. Frits Bus, St.Maarten. In the Laser Standard class Brett Wright (BER) Masters proved to be fastest ahead of Frits Bus from 1. Olivier Bernaz, France. 2. Rien Koerteknie. sxm. St.Maartin and Markku Hamala from St.Barths. 3. Jorge Abreu. Dom. Rep. In the Masters Class Olivier Bernaz, from © Petra France, stayed ahead of Jorge Abreu from the Radial. Dominican Rep. David de Vrie dominated the 1. David de Vries. Laser Radial class and Kevin v.d. Burgh stayed