Couto and Railey are new Radial World Champions

by Laser / GN on 10 Dec 2005 Brazilian, Eduardo Couto, and American, Paige Railey, needed only one race to become world champions at the Laser Radial Open and Womens championships.

Couto beat American, Brad Funk, by winning that race he won his country's first title at Radial. 'To win the Worlds had always been my dream. And to do that on my own country is just overwhelming,' he said.

For Paige Railey, the fifteenth place was more than enough to get her hands on the trophy. 'I´m very happy and excited. Sailing in Fortaleza was wonderful.' The World championship in Fortaleza is the first of the Laser Radial Olympic Era - the class will make its debut at Pequim 2008.

Ben Paton finished best GBR in the Men's competition at 12 with Jon Emmett in 17. In the women, Lizzie Vickers finished with a flourish, scoring a 5 and 2 to place tenth overall. Laura Baldwin also had a good final day, with a sixth in hte final race to finish 11 overall.

Next Monday is the Radial Youth, the world championship for atheltes under eighteen. The event will show the future generation of Laser stars. One hundred sailors from all the continents will came to Fortaleza for the event.

Men - Final overall leaders:
1 BRA 172402 Eduardo C. de Magalhaes Couto 29,0
2 USA 176266 Brad Funk 44,0
3 NZL 178663 Blair Mclay 45,0
GBR
12 GBR 182523 Ben Paton 101,0
17 GBR 180043 Jon Emmett 115,0
41 GBR 176655 Mark Brewster 259,0

Women - Final overall leaders:
1 USA 185076 Paige Railey 58,0
2 FRA 185036 Sophie de Turckheim 60,0
3 USA 185077 Anna Tunnicliffe 73,0
GBR
10 GBR 195044 Lizzie Vickers 102,0
11 GBR 185038 Laura Baldwin 105,0
25 GBR 185041 Charlotte Dobson 158,0
27 GBR 185045 Alison Young 160,0
33 GBR 185042 Penny Mountford 203,0