2015 Laser World Championship - First racing day

by Marianne Davis on 3 Jul 2015 Beautiful conditions today on the Fresh Waters of Canada's Kingston Ontario for the first day of the Laser Standard Men’s World Championship. The day began with 10 knots of breeze from the South/West. The wind then picked up to 15-17 knots to complete two successful races by all the fleets.

Yellow flight began the day with a clean start. At the first mark rounding, the fleet was led by Juan Maegli GUA, followed by Nick Thompson GBR and Bruno Fontes BRA. ISV’s Cy Thompson battled his way to the front of the pack to win the first race, with Maegli GUA in second and Elliott AUS in third. Thompson GBR and Fontes BRA finished fifth and sixth respectively. The second race for the yellow flight was led by Thompson GBR, followed by Maegli GUA, and Kacper Zieminski POL. Maegli GUA was able to pass Thompson GBR and take the lead, finishing first in race two. Thompson GBR followed in second and Zieminski POL in third.

Blue Flight started the day with a general recall, followed by a black flag start. All sailors were clear of the line, with Matthew Wearn AUS beating the rest of the pack to the first mark.

Wearn was able to lead the fleet through the race and finish first. Following him in second was Jeemin Ha KOR, and third Martin Evans GBR. In race two, Pavlos Kontides CYP beat the flight to the second mark, with Wearn AUS behind. Wearn AUS passed Kontides CYP in the next leg, and held his lead to finish first. Kontides CYP followed in second and Charlie Buckingham USA in third.

Red Flight also had an aggressive start to the day, with one general recall, and a black flag start. All were clear at the start, with Philipp Buhl GER leading the pack at mark two, and to the finish. Andy Maloney NZL followed behind to finish in second and Robert Scheidt BRA finished third. Race two was led by Buhl GER with Scheidt BRA close behind. Sam Meech NZL was able to battle his way to second by the second downwind mark, and keep his speed to pass Buhl GER. Meech NZL was able to finish first, with Buhl GER in second and Francesco Marrai ITA in third.

Matthew Wearn AUS currently sits in first place with two points, Juan Maegli GUA in second with three points and Philipp Buhl GER in third also with three points.

Another day of qualifying series tomorrow, with racing beginning at 1130. Racing runs daily until July 8th from Portsmouth Olympic Harbour. Don’t miss out on all the on and off water action during the 2015 Kingston Laser Worlds!