2020 Australian Laser Championships at Sandringham Yacht Club - Day 5
by Laser 2020 Media 7 Jan 2020 20:35 NZDT
1-8 January 2020
Matt Wearn on the way to his fifth Australian Laser title © Jon West Photography
With one day left to sail, Matt Wearn, who will be Australia's representative in the Laser class at the Tokyo Olympics, has an unbeatable lead in this year's National Championship.
After three races in almost ideal conditions at Sandringham today, Wearn holds a 29 point lead over his nearest Australian competitor, Luke Elliott.
Wearn won the title in 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2018 but was runner up to Rio Olympic Champion Tom Burton last year.
The past two days have been something of a lottery, with wind strength and direction shifting wildly. But today the wind gods sent steadier breeze, in the 10 to 15 knot range, with only slight shifts in direction that were easily read by the more experienced sailors.
Wearn has put together a very solid regatta, with scores to date of 2, 6, 1, (12), 2, 3, 6, 1, 4. The second discard comes in to play after the first race tomorrow, and with so many low scores, Wearn can afford to have two 'shockers" and still win the title.
Today's race winners were Kiwi Tom Saunders, Wearn and Charlie Buckingham (USA). Wearn leads second-placed Sam Meech (NZL) by 15 points overall, but internationals are not eligible for the title.
Wearn said the conditions were much improved today. "There was a lot less smoke so it was easier to see where the breeze was. (I had) three solid results today, which makes tomorrow a lot easier," he said.
Laser Radial
Experience came to the fore again in the Laser Radial, where Rio Olympic Champion and London silver medallist, Marit Bouwmeester leads her Dutch team mate Maxime Jonker and Greek sailor Vasileia Karachaliou by 15 points.
Bouwmeester, who has already been selected to defend her title in Tokyo, said of today's conditions, "It was a bit windy, but it was fun."
She and sailors from 17 other countries have come to the Australian titles to get familiar with the conditions they are likely to encounter at next month's world championships.
"We don't know much about the course yet, but we're learning fast," she said, also paying compliments to her hosts. "The organising committee is doing an awesome job, especially with the launching and retrieving. It's very nice being here in preparation for the worlds."
The Australian women's title is almost certain to be retained by Mara Stransky of Queensland, who sits in fifth overall behind four internationals and is a massive 58 points clear of her closest Australian rival, Zoe Thomson.
Today's race winners were Tuula Tenkanen (FIN) and Maxime Jonker, who won two.
Laser 4.7
Singapore's Jonathan Lio continues to lead the Laser 4.7 fleet. He has won six of the nine races sailed to date. Western Australia's Toby Coote has a stranglehold on the Australian title, sitting in third overall, 17 points clear of his closest rival, Isaac Schotte.
Kristen Wadley is the leading female in the class in eighth overall.
With just two races to be sailed tomorrow, and the forecast for winds very similar to today, the leaders will be sleeping well, knowing they don't need to take any risks.
Full results available here.