2015 Laser World Championship - Less than one week away!

by Marianne Davis on 27 Jun 2015 2015 Laser World Championship - The competitor list is filled with 159 of the best Laser Sailors from around the world. These world class athletes will represent 64 different nations and will compete for seven day on the Kingston Waters. Racing begins on July 2nd and runs daily until July 8th.

The Laser Standard Men’s World Championships official opening ceremonies will be held next Wednesday, July 1, at 1830 in Downtown Kingston at Confederation Basin Park. The ceremonies will consist of a parade of athletes, from Springer Market Square to Confederation Basin Park, lead by Kingston’s famous Town Crier. Kingston’s Honorable Mayor will also be in attendance to welcome all the athletes to Kingston.

The Canadian Sailing Team Members at this event will be battling against other Nations to win the title of 2015 Laser World Champion. They will also battle amongst themselves to be selected as the 2016 Canadian Olympic Laser Sailor. Current Canadian leader on the ISAF world ranking list is Lee Parkhill. Lee is currently ranked 34th worldwide, with his best ranking in July 2014 at 11th. Lee will compete against Kingston Native, Robert Davis. Davis is another top contender to be selected for the Olympic position. Robert grew up sailing in Kingston out of the Kingston Yacht Club, currently ranked 38th worldwide.

In attendance for the World Championships are a number of high performance athletes. These include the current world champion, based on the International Sailing Federation’s world ranking list, Tom Burton representing Australia. Tom has been ranked first since September of 2014 and was previously World Champion from September 2012 to April 2014. He won the ISAF Sailing World Cup in Hyeres, France in April of this year, and the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne, Australia in December 2014.

Another top competitor is Matthew Wearn, also representing Australia. Wearn is currently ranked second worldwide and recently won the ISAF Delta Loyd Regatta in Medemblik. Germany’s Philipp Buhl is another name to watch for. Buhl is currently ranked third worldwide and placed fourth in the 2014 Laser World Championship.

The practice will be held on July 1st before the opening ceremonies. Racing begins daily at 1130 running July 2-8. A full media kit is available at the Regatta office, located at 53 Yonge Street, in Portsmouth Olympic Harbour.

Come down to Portsmouth Olympic Harbour from July 1st – July 8th from 1000-1600 to see all the on water action!