In spite of the weather forecasts the fourth day of the Laser World Masters Championship was a great racing day.
In spite of the weather forecasts the fourth day of the Laser World Masters Championship was a great racing day. The 280 sailors from 5 continents completed two races in 10 to 15 knots of wind. In the masters fleet (45 to 54) Tracey Usher from San Francisco, USA won the first race of the day, beating Jack Schlachter and Mark Bethwaite of Australia.
The second race of the day saw the United States fill all three places with Doug Peckover leading home Mark Bear and Vann Wilson. This fleet is currently being dominated by the US filling the top five places overall. Overnight leader Ed Adams maintains an 8 point lead with a fifth and seventh place for the day, he currently leads Mark Bear who is 6 points clear of Peter Vessela in third.
In the first race of the Grand Master (55-64) category, Jack Hansen and Bill Symes of the US followed Keith Wilkins (GBR) home. In the second race Peter Seidenberg (USA) had a victory with Bill Symes and Keith Wilkins. Overall in the Grand Masters division, Keith Wilkins extended his lead with a first and third place for the day. Racing was tight between the top three. Wilkins, lying second in the second heat at the last mark, lost out to Peter Seidenberg when protecting his second place. Seidenberg went from third to first. Overnight, second place Rob Lowndes of Australia started the day with a fourth place but retired from the second race of the day, after hitting the first mark.
The Apprentice (35-44) division became more defined after the days racing with Andreas John (GER) opening up a seven point lead over two former Apprentice Champions in Brett Beyer (AUS) and Mark Littlejohn (GBR) after a second and a third today. Beyer won the first race of the day but could only manage a seventh in the second heat. Littlejohn equalled John with a second and third placing.
In the Great Grandmaster fleet (65+) Dick Tillman (USA) continued his dominance with another two victories to take his tally to a perfect seven from seven. Henry De Wolf (USA), remains in second; third is now shared by Jim Christopher (USA) and David Flakelar (AUS).
The Grand Masters (55-64) continues to be led by Lindsey Hewitt (USA) from Colin Maddren (NZL). Both had victories in today's races. Mark Miller of New Zealand continues to run third overall but is only 1 point clear of Lew Verdon (AUS) who had a second and third in today's races.
Adam French of Australia in the Masters division (45-54) won both heats today, extending his lead over Alden Shattuck of the USA who could only manage a second and third for the day.
In the Apprentice division of the Laser Radial, defending champion Steve Cockerill (GBR) has taken over the lead from Mark Orams of New Zealand by virtue of his two firsts yesterday. Orams could only manage a fourth and a third . Ryan Minth (USA) and Wilmar Groenendijk (NED) are currently tied for third overall.