Laser Youth World Championships - Bigger lead of the favourite sailors

by SVG Verlag on 13 Aug 2016 2016 Laser Youth World Championships - Friday had been a long second day for the 201 participants of the Laser Youth World Championships (U-21) in Kiel. Only in the late afternoon, two races were sailed.

For the men in the Laser Standard and the women in the Laser Radial, it had been the races three and four. Joel Rodriguez from Spain is still leading the fleet of the men, followed by Jonatan Vadnei (Hungary). Nik Aaron Willim (Schleswig/Germany, Norddeutscher Regatta-Verein) did move up onto rank three. In the women's fleet, Monika Mikkola from Finland did increase her lead becoming first in both races.

With 12 to 15 knots, in gusts a bit more, the races were started short before 4pm, after the race committee had sent the sailors back ashore at midday due to calm air. They had then sailed until 7pm. Joel Rodriguez could increase his lead, becoming fifth and first. After four races, a discard was possible, so Rodriguez has only four points. With a ninth and also a first place, Jonatan Vadnei from Hungary is on his heels (eight points). Nik Willim from the 'Norddeutscher Regatta-Verein' did jump well ahead on Friday. The 19-year old, who has graduated from school two months ago, was already satisfied with the first day, when he had finished in positions four and five. 'I was generally fast on the first day, on the upwind as well as on the downwind. I was a bit passive - but that had been the plan: A few solid placements in the beginning, not taking too many risks,' he said before the two races on Friday. This was also his formula when he started for the third and fourth race. With the places eight and three, he has 12 points and is currently on rank three.

After the lunch break, Max Gallant from Canada was the first sailor on the water - and hours later also the first one back at the marina. Whether it went like this in the race? 'In the first one not quite, but in the second one I did become third', stated the student of mathematics from Victoria. 'It’s an awesome sailing culture here“, he is inspired by Kiel. He is currently on rank eight with 21 points.

Max Wilken (Rechlin/Germany, 'Roebeler Segelverein Mueritz') has won the first race in the yellow group. 'I started on the right side, tacked immediately and then sailed to the right. Then the wind shift came and a bit more wind - and then I was in first position, and did not let anyone take that', reported the reigning German Youth Champion happily. Having finished in fifth position in the fourth race, he is now on rank nine (22 points).

In the women's fleet of the Laser Radial, Monika Mikkola (Finland) has increased her lead with two more victories on her record. Only three points - and a fourth place as a convenient discard - are clearly on the course to victory. With two second places, the French Marie Barrue did establish herself as the direct pursuer. 'Take a good start and then go fast and follow the leaders', she explains the simple way to success. 'That has been a really good day', the 20-year from Hyères, who is studying physiotherapy in Marseille, is satisfied. 'I didn’t expect to be in the top 5. Now I know I am doing well - so I am trying to get a medal!' She had spent one month in Kiel to get prepared for the Youth Worlds - and is now reaping the rewards.

Maité Carlier from Belgium is still on rank three, followed by Maud Jayet from Switzerland. Vasileia Karachaliou (Greece) is on rank five. The sailor from Athens (19) was not too happy about the day. 'We had two different wind systems, one from the left, one from the right. It was so confusing.' In the first race of the day, she was not in the top 10. 'But on the last downwind, I gained five or six places and one more on the last leg - so I finished third. But the second race was a disaster.' She can discard the twelfth place in this race - but she has higher ambitions: 'I want to sail better in the next days - and win!“

The next opportunity to win races at the Laser U-21 Worlds is on Saturday at 11am.

U-21 World Championship in the Laser Standard (Men)

Interim ranking after four races (one discard)

1. Joel Rodriguez (Spain), places 1, 2, (5), 1; 4 points
2. Jonatan Vadnei (Hungary), 1, 6, (9), 1; 8 p.
3. Nik Aaron Willim (NRV, Germany), 4, 5, (8), 3; 12 p.
4. Santiago Sampaio (Portugal), 3, 4, (10), 7; 14 p.
5. Romain Simonnot (France), 6, 3, 6, (18); 15 p.
6. Nicolo Villa (Italy), (11), 9, 4, 4; 17 p.
9. Max Wilken (Germany), (20), 16, 1, 5; 22 p.

U-21 World Championship in the Laser Radial (Women)

Interim ranking after four races (one discard)

1. Monika Mikkola (Finland), places (4), 1, 1, 1; 3 points
2. Marie Barrue (France), 3, (21), 2, 2; 7 p.
3. Maité Carlier (Belgium), 2, (4), 4, 3; 9 p.
4. Maud Jayet (Switzerland), 1, 5, (7), 4; 10 p.
5. Vasileia Karachaliou (Greece), 5, 2, 3, (12); 10 p.
6. Elli Cumpsty (Great Britain), 6, 7, (19), 6; 19 p.
22. Laura Bo Voss (Germany), 24, (28), 15, 7; 46 p.

Laser Standard Men and Laser Radial Women Youth Worlds (U21 - U19):

• Tuesday, 9. August: check-in, measurement
• Wednesday, 10. August: check-in, measurement, 2pm: practice race, 7:30pm: opening ceremony/dinner
• Thursday, 11. August: 11am: qualification round
• Friday, 12. August: 11am: qualification round
• Saturday, 13. August: 11am: qualification round, 7pm midweek party with dinner
• Sunday, 14. August 11am: qualification round
• Monday, 15. August, 11am: final round
• Tuesday, 16. August, 11am: final round, after that prize giving ceremony and final party/dinner