McLay wins Bronze at Laser Radial World Champs

by Jodie Perkins, YNZ + Sail-World on 10 Dec 2005 Blair McLay has won bronze at the Open Laser Radial World Championship which concluded last night in Fortaleza, Brazil.

McLay improved his performance throughout the regatta with two wins and five top five finishes in the six race finals series. A win in his final race left him just one point shy of the silver medal claimed by Brad Funk of the USA. Eduardo Couto of Brazil won the title with a 15 point margin over Funk.

Just 18 years-old McLay has a two day rest before competition starts in the Youth Laser Radial World Championship on at the same venue. Other kiwi’s in the fleet include Andrew Mowlem ending the regatta in 14th and Max Andrews who finished 22nd in a total fleet of 90.

Blair Mclay takes up the story: 'I finished third overall after a seventh and a first in the races today. The regatta was won by a Brazilian with an American second. Absolutely stoked at the result after having a difficult time in the qualifying races. There were about 85 people racing in the mens and almost 80 in the Women (seperate).

'The regatta started with light winds some of the lighest this year but the wind kicked in a bit more for the finals series. Its been a great regatta and a lot of fun with everybody staying in the same place and doing everything about the same time. I now look forward to the prizegiving tonight and the Radial Youth World Champs due to start in three days time.'

Other New Zealand Mens results: Andrew Mowlem 14th. Max Andrews 22nd
Womens: Jo Aleh 21st. Sara Winther 22nd. Cushla Hume-Merry 23rd in the silver fleet

In the Olympic class women’s fleet, after being in contention mid-regatta, the kiwi girls didn’t perform as well as they might have hoped. While the kiwi men improved as the regatta went on the girls struggled with consistency towards the end. Jo Aleh who earlier in the year placed ninth in a strong fleet at the European Champs finished this regatta in 21st place. Sara Winther was just behind her in 22nd overall. There were 76 women in the event.

Young American sailor Paige Railey was expected to take the title and she did it without sailing the final race. She was two points ahead of Sophie de Turckheim of France, while Anna Tunnicliffe also from the USA took bronze.

Blair McLay, Max Andrews and Cushla Hume-Merry will start competition in the Youth Laser Radial World Championships after a two day break.

Open Laser Radial World Championships
New Zealand’s Final Results

Blair McLay – 3rd – 45 points
Andrew Mowlem – 14th – 111 points
Max Andrews – 22nd – 161 points


Women’s Laser Radial World Championships
New Zealand’s Final Results

Jo Aleh – 21st – 137 points
Sara Winther – 22nd - 137 points
Cushla Hume-Marry – 61st – 196 points