2015 Laser Standard – Nail-biting finale for Beckett

by RYA on 24 Aug 2015 Michael Beckett won silver at the 2015 Laser Standard under 21 Worlds, Medemblik, the Netherlands (15-22 August) after a dramatic final day of racing on Saturday (22 August).

British Sailing Team Podium Potential sailor, Beckett, started his week with a double first on day one, sailing fast and mastering the choppy sea state. He followed this up with a fourth and a first on day two putting himself into the lead. As the week progressed to a gold and silver split, he picked up a starting penalty in race eight dropping him down to fifth. He concluded the 11 race series with a fifth to finish just two points behind Spanish winner Joel Rodriguez.

“I finished with a silver medal at the U21 Worlds after a pretty nail-biting finish in the last race where I ended up just two points from the lead. About half way through the race I was set to win but the Spanish sailor, Joel, who won overall, sailed an exceptional series and held it together in the last race very well and really deserved the win,” said Pembrokeshire born Beckett.

Even though Beckett won four races he had to settle for silver after a couple of high scores earlier in the week: “For me I came here looking to win but I am very happy with a silver medal, I’m really pleased that the work I did over the last sort of weeks and months for this event has paid off.”

Over the past year Beckett has been juggling university with his British Sailing Team commitments but the hard work has paid off, he explains: “I think the success I have had this week is not just a testament to the work I have put in but I’m also really grateful to everyone in the British Sailing Team, particularly my coach James Gray and Wayne Kitchener for basically keeping me alive and the rest of the Podium Potential squad.

“Most aren’t here this week because they are too old, but I wouldn’t be half the sailor that I am today if they hadn’t been pushing me for the past year and I am just really grateful to everyone that has enabled me to get here over the past few years,” concluded the 20-year old.

British Sailing Team Podium Potential teammate Henry Wetherell finished his championship in sixth position. Wetherell struggled at the very start of the regatta, posting an 18th in race one but bounced back to win the second race and followed this up with two fourths on day two.

The Snaith based sailor moved up to second midway through the week but on the last day he struggled, fighting his way through the fleet. The Hungarian Vanai brothers and Irish sailor Fynn Lynch capitalised on the opportunity and Henry dropped down to finish sixth overall.

Beckett and Wetherell now aim for medals at the Laser Standard under 21 Europeans in Murcia, Spain which commence on Friday (28 August).

In the Laser Radial under 21 Worlds, Ellie Cumpsty rounded off her week in eighth, including three top three finishes and a race win meanwhile British Youth Sailing Team member Chloe Barr finished 43rd.