Laser Radial Worlds - Winther makes top three in final Qualifying race

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com NZL on 18 Apr 2016 2012 Olympic Representative, Sara Winther continues to improve at the 2016 Laser Radial Worlds and has moved up the leaderboard to be in 12th place at the end of the shortened Qualifying Round.

She placed third in the only race sailed today and continues to improve as the regatta progresses, and her confidence builds. Another top spot at the first mark, set Winther up for a good race, moving between second and third all race after recovering from a tricky start.

Today's racing was postponed until 1300hrs, and the Blue and Yellow fleets were sent out in a building sea breeze.

Winther's race was the second start of the day in the 71 strong fleet from 33 countries and got away in a breeze of 9-12kts.

Although she won the boat end of the start line, Winther told Sail-World that she 'couldn’t get going quick enough because there was no breeze from committee boat end of the line.

'I tacked over straight away, but also got slammed, so sent it low - got a lane and smoked everyone around me.

'After tacking back for the top mark, I was probably two boat lengths overlaid and was third around the top mark.

'Did some nice work second upwind, and was second at the top mark.

'The wind had gone a long way left so last downwind turned into a broad reach…Ginatare (Gintare Scheidt LTU) was just a bit faster on the broad reach, so she got into second, but all good, didn’t bother pushing it too hard.

'So nice solid race, no hitting marks. Had sunscreen in my eyes all race in an attempt to get rid of panda eyes…bad move!'

(Try InSunSport and this problem will never happen - Ed)

'Then wind did a big shift, and they just abandoned for the day, but we have had lots of racing.

'So it is Gold fleet tomorrow, and basically just going to do everything exactly the same, but remembering that everyone will be a bit eager to get to the line, and the fleet will probably be a little more together around the track…so maybe need to make decisions a little earlier.'

'I think the mental game begins tomorrow!' she added.

Susannah Pyatt finished 16th in her fleet and lies in 29th overall and has also made the cut for the Gold fleet. Olivia Christie is in 61st place in the 71 boat fleet and will be in the Silver fleet for the next two days of racing.

At the top of the fleet former world champion Marit Bouwmeester (NED) has doubled her series lead to ten points from Paige Railey (USA). Alison Young (GBR) and Erika Reineke (USA are tied in third place on 23pts.

For full results click here