Laser and Laser Radial European Championships - Day 5

by Tine Vinther on 22 Jul 2015 If any of the sailors at this year’s Laser Europeans were aching for the wind to increase they had their wish fulfilled today. Strong western wind of 18-20 knots with gusts up to 25 knots came to visit the Bay of Aarhus on the last day of qualification.

Thus the Lasers were in for an action packed day on the water. Broken masts were been spotted even before the first starting signal was given and during the day black flags and UFD’s were given in both camps.

The wind, however, was rather steady today allowing for a majority of clean starts compared to the previous days.

Competition among the sailors was fierce today.

In the Women’s Laser Radial class Danish Sarah Gunni (16) who has been taking the lead up until now was finally, however narrowly, superseded by Spanish Alicia Cebrian Martinez De Lagos (88) who had an excellent day on the water finishing fourth and first.

Defending European Champion from last year, German Svenja Weger (33), has been consistent in her performance at this Championship and with an overall sixth place after today’s races she is still in play for a spot on the podium.

Sailing Aarhus caught her coming ashore after today’s race.

Another sailor was forced to give up first place today, namely Dutch Nicholas Heiner, who was banished to second place by defending European Champion Tonci Stipanovic from Croatia (188). Stipanovic managed to land an overall first place after taking home first places in today’s fifth and sixth qualification race.

The Dutch giants, Nicholas and Rutger might have their own battle going on in this year’s European Championship but Stipanovich is a force to be reckoned with and with three days of racing still to go it is still far too early to label the gold medal.

Third place is still governed by German Philipp Buhl (211) who has been consistent throughout the qualification race taking home rankings within top ten in all six races. Add a bit of luck to that consistency and who knows what might happen?

The only one who managed to maintain first position after the final qualification race today is Marcin Rudawski from Poland (151) who has been nothing less than superior in the Men’s Laser Radial fleet through the entire championship so far.

Two and third position may change from day to day but first place seems to have been claimed by the skilled sailor who has a comfortable 11 points lead down to second place which is held by Zan Luka Zelko from Slovakia (306).

However, with three days still to go nothing is definite. The only thing we know for certain is that three more exciting days of racing are still to come where anything can - and most likely will - happen.

Today's overall results:

Laser Radial Women Top Three

1. Alicia Cebran Martinez De Lagos (ESP)
2. Sarah Gunni Toftedal (DEN)
3. Tuula Tenkanen (FIN)

Laser Radial Men Top Three

1. Marcin Rudawski (POL)
2. Zan Luka Zelko (SLO)
3. Yasar Doga Aribas (TUR)

Laser Standard Top Three

1. Tonci Stipanovic
2. Nicholas Heiner (NED)
3. Philipp Buhl (GER)

Tomorrow the fleets will be split into gold and silver and the finals will dominate the three remaining days of the Laser Standard and Laser Radial European Championships 2015. First race is scheduled to begin at 1pm.