Laser Standard Masters World Championship in Mexico - Day 4

Rested and recovered after yesterday's lay-day, the sailors returned to the water with an on-time start and a moderate southwest breeze to complete two more races in the Laser Standard Masters World Championship.

The area surrounding the regatta headquarters at Paradise Village Resort offers a wide variety of activities for the sailors to enjoy during their downtime, including golf, tennis, surfing, spa treatments, jungle tours, fishing, zip lining, or just relaxing by the pool. But by far the most enjoyable activity available here has got to be racing a Laser against world-class competition in the pristine, warm waters off Riviera Nayarit, Mexico.

A light haze over the ocean today kept the thermal wind from fully developing, but sailors were treated to a moderate 8-11 knot breeze that provided very tactical and tight racing.

Although the wind mainly shifted to the right during the day, it was the sailors that protected the middle of the course who had the most success. Allan Clark from Canada won the first race of the day in the Grand Masters Division in spite of overplaying the right side of the first beat. On the first run, Clark chased down the leaders, who had played the middle of the first beat, and then extended on the next upwind leg to earn the victory.

In what he calls "Ricky Bobby style," (i.e. either first or last) Clark subsequently earned a Black Flag disqualification in the second race, but remains in third place overall. Australia's Gavin Dagley leads the division while Cristian Herman of Chile showed great upwind speed to win the day's second race and remain in second place overall.

Mark Bethwaite of Australia continues his impressive string of bullets to lead the Great Grand Masters Division with a perfect score line. American, Doug Peckover remains in second overall, but posted a sixth place in today's second race to keep the overall standings interesting. Peckover leads Australian James Temple by 10 points, a margin that may or may not hold to the conclusion of the event.

In the Masters Division, Brett Beyer of Australia won the day's first race, but made a few uncharacteristic mistakes in the second race to finish third. With those mistakes, Beyer left the door open and New Zealander Andrew Dellabarca and American Ernesto Rodriguez were happy to walk though it to finish first and second. With those scores, Dellabarca and Rodriguez sit in second and third place overall at the top of a tightly grouped leader board.

In the Apprentice Division, Pablo Rabago of Mexico and Guilherme Roth of Brazil split first and second place finishes to keep hold of the top two spots.

Bethwaite Masterful (update from John Roberson)

Mark Bethwaite still heads the Australian domination of the Laser Masters' Standard World Championships in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, as he holds on to his undefeated position at the head of the Great Grand Masters' fleet.

In the Grand Masters' division Australia's Gavin Dagley still holds a five point advantage, having scored a ninth and a fourth today, the fourth day of racing in the event.

Brett Beyer, also of Australia, holds a commanding eighteen point lead in the Masters' fleet, having chalked up first and third places today.

In the five strong Apprentice Masters' division, local skipper Pablo Rabago maintains a four point advantage after putting second and first places on the scoreboard.

Bethwaite's closest rival in the Great Grand Masters', American Doug Peckover, had a mixed day, with a second and a sixth, but is looking safe in second overall, ten points ahead of another Australian, Jim Temple.

The only Chilean in the regatta, Cristian Herman, is putting up a strong fight in the Grand Masters', hanging on to second place, having put a sixth and a first on the scoreboard, beating Dagley in both races.

Seventh and first places for Kiwi Andrew Dellabarca moved him back into second place behind Brett Beyer at the head of the Masters' fleet, one point ahead of American Ernesto Rodriguez.

Guilherme Roth of Brazil remains within striking distance of leading Apprentice Master Pablo Rabago, having matched the class leader with a first and second today.

Winds on the fourth day of racing were lighter than earlier in the week, but generally in the same south westerly direction, but accompanied by a lazy leftover chop, that made sailing very difficult.

Races 9 and 10 of the twelve-race series are scheduled for tomorrow. And of course when you're sailing in paradise, the forecast is once again for perfect sailing conditions.

Standings by Division: (top three)

Apprentice Masters
1) Pablo Rabago MEX 8pts
2) Guilherme Roth BRA 12pts
3) Alejandro Rabago MEX 20pts

Masters
1) Brett Beyer AUS 9pts
2) Andrew Dellabarca NZL 27pts
3) Ernesto Rodriguez USA 28pts

Grand Masters
1) Gavin Dagley AUS 21pts
2) Cristian Herman CHI 26pts
3) Allan Clark CAN 33pts

Great Grand Masters
1) Mark Bethwaite AUS 7pts
2) Doug Peckover USA 16pts
3) James Temple AUS 26pts

Full results at www.laserworlds2016.org/index.php/mstand-results