Kiwis win Gold and Silver at Radial Worlds

by Jodie Bakewell-White on 30 Mar 2008 New Zealand sailor, Andrew Maloney has won the 2008 Laser Radial World Championships Youth Male division which concluded yesterday off Takapuna, North Shore City. Another kiwi medal went to Cushla Hume-Merry in the Youth Female division who narrowly missed the title on count-back.

This event, which was sailed over six days and followed on from the Olympic class Women’s Laser Radial World Championship the previous week, included three divisions – Men’s, Youth Male and Youth Female. A total of 195 sailors, including scores of internationals, have been on the Hauraki Gulf enjoying good solid breeze for the entire championship.

With 85 competitors in the Youth Male fleet, this was the biggest of the three divisions and Maloney, who hails from Northland, lead from start to finish. With four wins, two 2nd’s and two 3rd’s on his score card, Maloney was in hot form for this event on home waters up against some stiff international competition.

Despite the final day yesterday being the least impressive of the regatta he had the Youth Male Laser Radial World title sewn up, finishing seven points clear of his nearest rival. Silver went to Martin Evans of Great Britain, and bronze to Maarten Moerman of the Netheralands.

Two more kiwi’s finished in the top ten in the Youth Male division including Sam Meech in 5th overall, and Jason Saunders in 8th place.

It all came down to the final race in the Youth Female division with New Zealander, Cushla Hume-Merry going head to head with Australia’s Gabrielle King for the title. Whoever crossed the line first in the final race would secure the title and in the end it was King who took the race with Hume-Merry crossing in 2nd place.

This put the pair equal on 20 points with the title going to King on count-back. Hume-Merry of Wellington, who sailed exceptionally well throughout the event, had to be content with silver. Bronze went to Sarah Gunni of Denmark who was fourteen points adrift of the top two.

New Zealand just missed the medals in the Men’s Laser Radial World Championships with James Sandall finishing in 4th place overall in the star-studded 72 strong fleet. The title went to Michael Leigh of Canada who is currently world ranked number 6 in the Olympic class Men’s Laser, ahead of Brad Funk of the USA, also more commonly seen in the Laser full-rig.

Behind Sandall in 4th another two kiwis recorded top ten finishes. Max Andrew’s was 6th overall, and Blair McLay was 8th.

The conclusion of this event signals the end to the series of World Championship events which have consumed the Takapuna Boating Club since January 2008. Having hosted the RS:X Windsurfing Worlds, the Tornado Worlds and now the Laser Radial Worlds the North Shore City has been amass with sailing talent over recent months.

The focus will now turn to the Waitemata with the ISAF Women’s Match-Racing World Championships, being hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron set to start this coming week. The Opening Ceremony will take place on Tuesday 1st April with racing set to kick off the following day.


2008 Laser Radial World Championships Final Results

Male Youth Division – Top Ten

1st NZL Maloney Andrew 25 points
2nd GBR Evans Martin 32 points
3rd NED Moerman Maarten Max 34 points
4th AUS Burton Tom 37 points
5th NZL Meech Sam 39 points
6th FRA Florent Blais 49 points
7th GBR Spencer James 63 points
8th NZL Saunders Jason 64 points
9th BRA Pereira Guilherme 74 points
10th SLO Pletikos Nik 77 points

Female Youth Division – Top Ten

1st AUS King Gabrielle 20
2nd NZL Hume-Merry Cushla 20
3rd DEN Gunni Sarah 34
4th FRA de Kerangat Mathilde 48
5th IRL Murphy Annalise 49
6th USA Dennis Claire 58
7th DEN Hall Cathrine 64
8th GBR Martin Chloe 78
9th GBR Addy Melissa 80
10th AUS Stoddart Ashley 98

Men’s Division – Top Ten

1st CAN Leigh Michael 15 points
2nd USA Funk Brad 24 points
3rd AUS Morgan Simon 40 points
4th NZL Sandall James 49 points
5th AUS Burman James 54 points
6th NZL Andrews Max 76 points
7th FRA Frei Mathieu 78 points
8th NZL McLay Blair 89 points
9th FRA Leseigneur Malo 92 points
10th NED Pelt Gijs 97 points

For full results visit the regatta website at www.takapunaworlds.org
Visit www.oceanphotography.co.nz to view images from racing.