2019 ILCA Laser Radial World Championship at Miho Bay, Japan - Overall
by Ravi Subramanian 25 Jul 2019 15:01 UTC
17-24 July 2019
Anne-Marie Rindom of Denmark decisively won the 2019 Laser Radial Women's World Championship today with consistent sailing in the final two races. She was the regatta leader going into the final day, with a two point lead over Ecem Guzel (TUR) and a ten point lead over Tuula Tenkanen (FIN), but the eight to ten knot westerly breeze varied throughout the race and across the course. There were big gains to made, or lost.
In the first race, most of the top-ten in the regatta were in the bottom half of the fleet at the first weather mark. Most of them worked their way up through the fleet in the remaining legs, but Rindom did so best, finishing sixth. The others finished in the high teens, or worse. Completion of this tenth race of the event made a second discard available.
Discarding a 28th from the Qualifying Series, Rindom established a 30+ point lead over Tuula Teknanen (FIN) and Charlotte Rose (USA), who moved up into second and third places. A conservative 15th place finish in the final race cemented Rindom's win, but places shuffled below her. Marit Bouwmeester (NED) moved up to second with a tenth place finish, despite a letter score in the first race, and Alison Young (GBR) claimed third with an 11th in the final race.
In the Men's Championship, Simon de Gendt (BEL) held his lead to win the event followed by Zac West (AUS), despite West's retirement from the final race. Guilherme Perez (BRA) and Erwan Lamoueux (SUI) traded places for the day, with Pereze claiming third and Lamoueux finishing fourth overall. Mark Louis (AUS) held onto fifth place.
For the important 2020 Olympic Games berths, positions within the top ten countries were shuffled, but none of the four hopeful countries (Guatemala, Thailand, Spain, and Saint Lucia) did well enough to move up and claim a spot for the 2020 Games.
The evening concluded with Closing Ceremonies offered with full Japanese hospitality - great food and drinks, and an impressive display of Taiko drumming. PRO Hugh Leicester offered thanks to the organizers, officials from the Tottori prefecture, the Japanese Sailing Federation, and the Japanese Laser Class Association. He also offered a sombre memorial to the passing of long-time Laser Class supporter Jeff Martin, who remains sorely missed.
Event Website - 2019worlds.laserjapan.org/radial
Results - 2019worlds.laserjapan.org/radial/results
Photo Galleries - www.facebook.com/2019-Laser-Worlds-JAPAN-284629198769700
Women's results:
1. Anne-Marie Rindom DEN 50 pts
2. Marit Bouwmeester NED 86 pts
3. Alison Young GBR 89 pts
4. Emma Plasschaert BEL 106 pts
5. Marie Barrue FRA 106 pts
Men's results:
1. Simon de Gendt BEL 20 pts
2. Zac West AUS 26 pts
3. Guilherme Perez BRA 49 pts
4. Erwan Lamoureux SUI 51 pts
5. Mark Louis AUS 58 pts
2020 Olympic Qualification (14 countries for 10 places):
1. Croatia CRO 164 pts
2. Lithuania LTU 178 pts
3. Argentina ARG 185 pts
4. Belarus BLR 211 pts
5. Australia AUS 213 pts
6. Uruguay URU 225 pts
7. Russia RUS 232 pts
8. Ireland IRL 233 pts
9. New Zealand NZL 234 pts
10. Cypress CYP 252 pts
11. Guatemala GUA 253 pts
12. Thailand THA 257 pts
13. Spain ESP 264 pts
14. Saint Lucia LCA 279 pts
Ireland qualifies for Tokyo 2020 by ISA
Following the final two races at the Laser Radial World Championship this morning (Wednesday 24 July 2019 - Sakaiminato, Japan), Ireland has qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Sailing regatta in the women's single-handed event.
The berth was secured by Lough Derg Yacht Club's Aisling Keller (Nenagh, Co. Tipperary) who had her best day in the Gold fleet final series to finish 46th overall.
"This is a weight off my shoulders for sure, it's probably the hardest regatta I've ever sailed," Keller said. "To come in off the water and know that it's done and dusted is just amazing (I'm) so happy."
Howth Yacht Club's Aoife Hopkins placed 48th and both Irish sailors were inside the qualification criteria with Keller taking the seventh of ten nation places decided at the championship. Hopkins would otherwise have been in the ninth nation place.
"It's been a really long road to this moment. We've been working for a year towards this event particularly and even longer towards Olympic qualification," said Hopkins. "It's really nice to come away with the outcome we wanted."
The world championship was won by Denmark's Anne-Marie Rindom who led overall going into to the final day of Gold fleet racing on Wednesday. Ten nation places for Tokyo 2020 were also decided at the event in addition to the 20 already won in 2018.
"Qualification was something that had to happen so that ended up being the focus here at the end of the regatta," said Rory Fitzpatrick, Irish Sailing's Head Coach. "Next we go to the Olympic venue (at) Enoshima... now that we know we're going to be there (at the Games) we've got to make the most of it."
The sailing venue for next year's Olympic regatta will host national representatives in all events next month for a scheduled test series for competitors and organisers alike.
"Aisling, Aoife and Rory have worked hard to get this far. It is fantastic to know we will be on the Olympic start line. The next phase is Olympic preparation and the bar gets set even higher for that, there are bigger performances to come from these two athletes" commented James O'Callaghan, Irish Sailing's Performance Director. "The coming 12 months are critical to unlock potential but with support from Sport Ireland's and the Irish Sailing Foundation, we are determined to give them the best chance for success."