Issue date
It was another tough day for the race committee and sailors in the 2014 European Laser Standard and Laser Radial Championships, on now in Split, Croatia where just one race was completed by the gold fleets on the penultimate day of the regatta.
Image: Andy Maloney racing today © Thom Touw
The challenging light conditions were reflected in the results for many of the top sailors, however if racing is possible tomorrow things could change dramatically.
New Zealand’s best placed sailor is now Andy Maloney in 22nd after a 30th from today on the provisional results.
Mike Bullot is showing a RET, and Sam Meech a BFD from today’s race pushing them well down the leader board into 34th and 41st respectively, but if another [better] race is added to the finals series tomorrow today’s race result can be discarded from their total – a rule that will apply for everyone in the gold fleet.
Thomas Saunders is lying 42nd.
The regatta report says; “Tomorrow three races are scheduled, but the forecast is again very bad, again no wind. The race committee will be ready to signal a start at 12.00. Only one race is enough to change a lot, because with two races in the finals the sailors can discard one of final races.”
Describing today the report says; “Day in day out major challenges for the organizers, race committee and the fleet. Only one race today for the gold fleets, everybody else did not race, even that one race for the gold fleets was shortened.”
“Again some 4-5 hours on the water, with high air temperatures, 32 degrees in the shadow, on shore in the sun one feels as if it is 40. All the competitors agree – it is very tricky out there. Results show that, even the top names made mistakes.”
The Women’s Laser Radial gold fleet raced today with Sara Winther finishing 34th she slips to 36th overall. Winther says; “Things not really going my way this week, but not giving up yet, hopefully we can race tomorrow and can finish well.”
Racing resumes in Split tomorrow with the titles set to be decided and medals presented.
2014 Laser and Laser Radial European Championships
New Zealand’s provisional standings after day five
Laser Standard (Men’s Olympic single-handed class) – 132 entries
22nd Andy Maloney, NZL Sailing Team (3, 4, 12, 14, 16, 30)
34th Mike Bullot (5, 10, 8, 3, 13, ret)
41st Sam Meech, NZL Sailing Team (5, 12, 14, 7, 11, bfd)
42nd Thomas Saunders, NZL Sailing Team (12, 15, 25, 24, 1, 34)
Laser Radial (Women’s Olympic single-handed class) – 92 entries
36th Sara Winther (27, 6, 19, 14, 43, 34)
68th Susannah Pyatt (46, 41, 23, 39, 7)
Links
Regatta website
Yachting New Zealand website
NZL Sailing Team sailor profiles
NZL Sailing Team on Facebook
About the NZL Sailing Team
The NZL Sailing Team includes New Zealand’s top Olympic campaigners who have made the top 20% in their most recent (respective) class World Championships or pinnacle event and have shown consistency of performance over the year including other significant Championships.
Yachting New Zealand’s High Performance Programme is focussed on winning medals at the Olympics in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
NZL Sailing Team sailors all started out at grass roots yacht clubs around the country and with commitment, dedication and drive have risen to be world class athletes; they work hard in the gym, train long hours on the water and are supported by great coaches.
For more information
Jodie Bakewell-White
Yachting New Zealand Communications Manager
Tel. 021 709 065
Email. jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz
