Dan Slater on Day 1 of the 2015 Laser Worlds in Kingston
by Dan Slater, The Water Shed on 3 Jul 2015
2015 Laser World Championship Luka Bartulovic
Dan Slater, of The Water Shed, is coaching at the 2015 Laser Worlds. He files this report from Day 1 of the regatta:
Two races sailed today with 3 fleets and all three fleets had 1 sailor dominating the day in the 15-18 knot breeze.
In the Yellow fleet the day was dominated by Guatemalan Juan Ignacio Maegli and to an extent GBR’s Nick Thompson. Juan showed the rest of the world in his fleet that he is a contender for this championship he is not a regular at the World Cups but has done plenty of the major events. He is 2nd overall with a 1st and 2nd today.
In the Blue fleet Matthew Wearn from Australia had two firsts today and showing that he is one of the best 19 year olds to ever sail a Laser. Mathew was pushed today by Olympic Silver Medalist Pavlos Kontides from Cypris who got two 2nd placings.
The Red Fleet had probably some of the more famous names in Laser sailing all in the same group today. It was clearly dominated by Philipp Buhl from Germany who sailed to a 1st and 2nd today. He was just piped on the final run of the 2nd race by Sam Meech from NZL for his first win.
Racing was really nice today with such a fantastic breeze it was a organisers dream. Between race 1 and 2 there was a hold up with the start boat not holding under anchor. Once racing got away the coaches were treated to some of the best sailors in the world making it look easy.
My Dutch team today struggled a little but we will be back on the ball after some first day wobbles.
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