Please select your home edition
Edition
MySail 2025

Laser Masters World Championships – Day one preview

by Laser Worlds Press Office on 13 Sep 2010
Laser Masters World Championships start this afternoon off Hayling Island with a general expectation of a brisk opening day which is expected to be the prelude to a couple of days of windy racing.

Hayling Island Sailing Club is positively buzzing and has been since early this morning. Even before the men’s singlehanded Olympic class, the Laser Standard, had finished their world championships on these same waters eight days ago, there was a steady stream of overseas competitors arriving to start their full week of preparations.

And the last few days have been frenetic, culminating in final measurement and registration yesterday and a glorious afternoon practice race in 8-11 knots of breeze.

More than 350 sailors from 30 different countries aged from 35 to 83 years old will compete across a series of twelve scheduled races.

There are four fleets apiece in the Radial and Standard classes.

The biggest fleet, the Standard Masters has attracted 96 competitors and is split into Red and Yellow divisions. For the Grand Masters, for sailors of 55-64 years there is the choice of sailing either in the Radial or Standard fleet, whilst Great Grand Masters must race in the Radial fleet. Racing runs through to Sunday 19th September

Age groups are Apprentice 35-44 years, Masters 45-54 years Grand Masters Standard is 55 to 64 years and Great Grand Masters are 65 or older.

Today’s forecast promises 10-12 knots of WSW’ly breeze increasing through the afternoon as the expected frontal systems arrive. By Tuesday afternoon strong winds are expected which could blow through Wednesday.

Many of last year’s champions are back to defend their titles. In the Standard Masters fleet American Scott Ferguson of Rhode Island will be out to retain the title he won last year in Nova Scotia. He may find tough opposition from Finn 1984 Olympic silver medallist John Bertrand (USA), the first sailor to win back to back Laser world titles. In the Great Grand Masters is one of Bertrand’s Finn friends and rivals, Germany’s Wolfgang Gerz, who won the Finn Gold Cup in 1981 in Gromitz, Germany. He is the defending champion in the Standard Grand Masters division.

In the Radial Masters fleet Brasil’s Eduardo Carlos Wanderley is back seeking to retain his title, whilst in the Great Grand Masters fleet America’s Peter Seidenburg, is at his 27th consecutive Laser Masters World Championships and bidding to win his ninth title, his fifth in a row. He locks back into long time rivalry – and friendship – with Ireland’s Denis O’Sullivan, also 73, who shares the same record of racing at 27 consecutive Laser Masters World Championships.

For more information, please go to: www.laserworlds2010.co.uk/masters
Boat Books Australia FOOTERHenri-Lloyd Dynamic RangeVaikobi 2024 December

Related Articles

Summer Youth Olympic Games equipment confirmed
Dakar 2026 will feature 2 sailing events in the Techno293 World Sailing is pleased to announce the selection of Techno293 as the equipment used in competition at the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, being held from 31 October to 13 November 2026.
Posted today at 6:08 am
America's Cup entries open on Sunday
A Cup in turmoil - has Grant Dalton dodged a bullet with the new Cup organisation? Updated story: America's Cup got underway in Rome on Monday, with Round 2 of the official welcoming ceremonies on Wednesday in Naples. Emirates Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton appears to have dodged a bullet with the formation of of new AC organising body.
Posted today at 4:18 am
Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta day 1
Ideal conditions for starting the Southern Wind RendezVous and Trophy The 2025 edition of the Giorgio Armani Superyacht Regatta, organised by the YCCS with the support of title sponsor Giorgio Armani, got under way right on time today, 28 May 2025 at 11.30 a.m. on the waters off Porto Cervo.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup Power Plays
And Growing Sailing Through Learning There's always so much speculation and intrigue in-between each edition of the America's Cup. Everyone wants to know what is happening behind closed doors, inside the teams, and when the Challengers meet with the Defender.
Posted on 28 May
2025 is going to be a huge season for IMOCA
Antoine Mermod talks about the season ahead Over the next four years the most exciting monohull class in world offshore ocean racing will take on no less than 17 races, covering tens of thousands of miles of the world's oceans.
Posted on 28 May
America's Cup enthusiastically received in Naples
The Castel dell'Ovo, was the venue for the arrival of the America's Cup in Napes The Castel dell'Ovo, set on the tuft peninsula of Megaride was the outstanding setting for the Official Host Venue Presentation of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 28 May
Increased Crowds and Unrivalled Showcase
At 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days from 22-25 May 2025.
Posted on 28 May
CYCA team to take best shot at the Admiral's Cup
The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black The Australian flag will fly proud on Zen and Back 2 Black during the Admiral's Cup to be held in Cowes from the Isle of Wight from 17 July - 1 August.
Posted on 28 May
Doyle Sails: Ragtime blends retro and modern
Launched in 1966, Infidel now Ragtime Sailing, has celebrated her 60th year with a refit Tina Roberts has beautifully restored Ragtime Sailing in honour of her late partner's wishes, choosing Doyle Sails not only for the world-class sails but for the depth of experience, personal commitment, and collaborative support that define the team.
Posted on 28 May
The Ocean's Logbook amplifies global voices
A digital survey that looks beyond cold statistics to capture real stories A powerful new campaign designed to capture the world's emotional connection to the ocean is being launched today ahead of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France in June.
Posted on 27 May