NZ Laser Nationals Day 3 – Napier turns on champagne sailing at last!

by Nick Page on 19 Jan 2013
Clear sunny conditions, a gentle sea breeze which never got over 12 knots and some waves to work with greeted the fleet on Day 3 of the 2013 NZ Laser Nationals, being sailed at Napier Sailing Club.

Yesterday’s 180 degree shifts, calms and gales were forgotten and it was ideal sailing conditions for all, allowing the race officer to lay the course and run races continuously to get the regatta fully back on schedule.

Andy Maloney dominated the Open fleet with three bullets from three races to lead overall from Sam Meech who had to be satisfied with three seconds today, leaving everything to play for in tomorrows final two races. Thomas Saunders continued to be the best of the chasers to hold third overall followed by two of our international visitors, Francesco Marri from Italy in fourth and Dutchman Nicholas Heiner in fifth.

The Radial fleet had four races today to catch up with the schedule as they did not complete any races on the first day. The day was dominated by last years youth rep, Andrew McKenzie, with three firsts and a third to lead convincingly overall. He is followed Second overall is overnight leader Rachel Basevi, who won one race today and had consistent results in the other 3 races. Matt Kempkers, defending champion and Olympic rep Sara Winther and Keith Inglis from Taupo round out the top five but have their work cut out to catch Andrew tomorrow.

In the Masters Kris Decke stamped his authority on the fleet, with 3 wins from the 3 races. Clean starts and good old, fashioned boat speed kept him at the front of the fleet, although Andrew Dellabarca from Muratai and Stuart Fanshawe from Thames both had very consistent days with top places in all three races. Andrew lies second with overnight leader Kent Copplestone now third.

In the Radial Masters Scott Leith stamped his authority on the fleet with a second and two firsts to lead overall from Edmund Tam, who pulled off a win in the first race to go with a second and fifth. Others to have a good day were Mike Keeton who achieved two thirds and Pete Thomas a third and fourth.

The 4.7s again had close racing among their small fleet with Bryn Bennett from Worser Bay enjoying a great day with 4 wins to lead from club mate Cain Anderson with Scott Inglis from Taupo in third.

Tomorrows forecast is again for light to moderate winds. All divisions look like being down to the last race to decide the final results. With two races scheduled for all fleets tomorrow we hope for a repeat of today’s excellent sailing conditions.

http://www.nzlaser.org/2013-nz-national-laser-champs!Click_here for full results by division