ISAF Sailing World Cup Tom Burton - the Laser King of Hyeres

by Rob Kothe & Jedda Murphy on 27 Apr 2015 There was quite some tension ahead of the Laser class medal race, in Hyeres, after a dramatic night in the protest room, with Tonci Stipanovic ( forced to carry a 41st, after failing to sail a proper course, in his attempts to push Burton into using his drop of 33rd. 30th over the line Burton was given redress and started the medal race with a slender lead over Nick Thompson (GBR)

Robert Scheidt (BRA) got a pre-start penalty, from the gun Tom Burton was away fast, he soon pushed Croatia right, initally controlling Nick Thompson (GBR) off the startline.

In 14-17 knot breeze there were some messy wave sets and Burton suffered. Charlie Buckingham (USA) was well advanced, sailing well tactically he bounced Nick Thompson right.

At the top mark, Buckingham, the tenth ranking sailor going into the medal race was first around, Nick Thompson GBR) was close behind in a Gold medal position, Burton back in the pack has work to do.

But he did the work Burton stormed down the run and took the lead at the bottom mark. Up the second work, Buckingham and Burton fought every way. Buckingham rounded first, then came Burton, then Thompson.

Behind them as he rounded Nicholas Heiner (NED), the current world champion saw the sign board that told he was over the line early and was out the race.

Now the final run with an increasing breeze, Buckingham surfed fast down the course and won clearly.

Burton finished second and had taken his third Hyeres Sailing World Cup in three years.

An impressive result for the Laser number one ranked sailor, if he holds form he will be the man to beat in Rio.