European Laser Standard Senior Championship 2008
Sat 12th July 2008 - Sat 19th July 2008
BELGIUM, Nieuwpoort
Sat 19th July 2008 - Day 8
Adverse weather brings an end to the European Laser Standard Senior Championship
All scheduled races have been cancelled today due to adverse weather conditions. Average winds of 23 knots have been measured close to the shore line this morning with steep waves in the bay. This afternoon winds of between 28 and 30 knots are forecast, calling an early end to the European Laser Standard Senior Championship 2008.
Fri 18th July 2008 - Day 7
First day of finals racing in the European Laser Standard Championship
The first race of the day for the Standard Seniors was delayed slightly giving the sailors time to get to the race area. The first race for the gold fleet was started without problems, but the pin end boat didn't hold its anchor and therefore needed to be repositioned. The first start of the silver fleet also went smoothly with just one OCS given to Evan Scott (GBR) who was on the course side of the start line within a minute of the start. The bronze fleet start had one general recall but got away without problems the second time with the black flag in place. The wind was stable at around 18 knots.
Race 10 began for each of the Standard Senior fleets with a consistent wind of around 16 knots. The gold fleet was finally started after two general recalls with 4 black flags given to Michael Leigh (CAN), Matias Del Solar (CHI), Brad Funk (USA) and Dan Belben (GBR). The silver fleet started well with no issues. The wind increased a little for the start of the bronze fleet causing some of the sailors to become a bit nervous requiring three starts with 3 black flags given.
For the first time in this Championship, overall leader Tom Slingsby did not score any bullets today, getting an 11th in race 9 and a 9th in race 10. This, however, did not affect his overall score on the leader board too much and he still maintains a comfortable lead of 8 points over 2nd place Paul Goodison. Vasilij Zbogar remains in 3rd place overall, 7 points behind Goodison.
Thurs 17th July 2008 - Day 6
Tom Slingsby extends his lead in the European Laser Standard Championship
The first start of the day took place on time for the Laser Standard Senior fleet with a stable wind of 15 knots. At the start of the race, the strong current proved challenging for the sailors, leading to few OCS and black flags being given. The windward mark drifted due to the strong current, but the mark layers took swift action to replace it. The first race took 87 minutes to complete due to the strong current.
At the start of the second race the wind increased to around 20 knots. The green fleet started well with just 2 OCS given, the red fleet had a general recall and the yellow fleet started without any problems. The wind continued to increase throughout the race to 23 knots.
There was no change in the top 3 sailors on the leader board today. Tom Slingsby scored a 2nd in race 7 and another bullet in race 8 allowing him to stretch his overall lead over 2nd place Paul Goodison to 11 points. Goodison scored a 26th and a 2nd today but is closely followed by Vasilij Zbogar in 3rd place overall.
Wed 16th July 2008 - Day 5
Tom Slingsby continues his dominance in the European Laser Standard Championship
Australian Tom Slingsby continues his dominance in the European Laser Standard Championship with his fourth 1st place finish in race 5. The start of race 5 was delayed slightly due to a large commercial ship entering the port forcing the sailors to wait ashore. Once onto the race area a strong current and steady wind of 10 knots provided a challenging race. The first start resulted in a general recall but got away the second time with 4 black flags issued including Diego Romero (ITA). The remaining two fleets left the start cleanly with wins for Matias Del Solar (CHI) and Tonci Stipanovic (CRO).
In race 6 the current was almost slack and turned during the race, leading to a challenging final leg for the last fleet as some sailors had difficulty reaching the finish line. With a 9 knot wind the first fleet started cleanly. The red fleet started second and had to be recalled but then restarted cleanly the second time. Finally, the yellow fleet had a clean start but with two black flags issued. As the races progressed the wind dropped to 6 knots. Race 6 winners where Diego Romero, Jean Baptiste Bernaz (FRA) and Joaquin Blanco Albalat (ESP).
Tues 15th July 2008 - Day 4
Tom Slingsby holds the lead in the Laser Standard Senior Championship
Day two of racing saw two races sailed in overcast weather conditions. During the first race the south-westerly wind diminished from about 12 knots to less than 10 knots. Again, there were several general recalls in the second race of the day.
Sari Multala (FIN) once again sailed ahead winning both races in the Laser Radial Women's fleet keeping her place at the top of the leaderboard on just 4 points. Also on the Women's leaderboard Sophie de Turckheim (FRA) keeps second place on 8 points closely followed by Evi Van Acker (BEL) in third place with 10 points.
In the Laser Standard Men's fleet, Tom Slingsby (AUS) stays in first place with a 1st and a 2nd today while Paul Goodison (GBR) moved up from third to second place. Zbogar Vasilijk (SLO) is third.
Zemke Wojciech (POL) leads the Laser Radial Men's fleet by 2 points over 2nd place Jon Emmett (GBR).
Mon 14th July 2008 - Day 3
2 bullets for the reigning World Champion
Two races were sailed today in nice weather conditions with a westerly wind of 14 to 18 knots. While the first race went smoothly, there were some general recalls in the second race.
Tom Slingsby (AUS) won both races in the Laser Standard Men's fleet. Similarly, Sari Multala (FIN) won both races in the Laser Radial Women's fleet. In the Laser Radial Men's fleet joint first place is held by Jon Emmett (GBR), Michail Aristeidis (GRE) and Zemke Wojciech (POL) all on 3 points.
Sun 13th July 2008 - Day 2
Practice race sailed in 7-10 knot winds and sunshine
The final day of measurement was completed quickly and efficiently. Then, at 14h00 the practice race began with sunshine, blue skies and 7-10 knot winds.
After the practice race the European Championship was officially opened with an opening ceremony, happy hour and buffet: a great start to start the regatta.
Sat 12th July 2008 - Day 1
A full day of measurement in Nieuwpoort
Today was a full day of registration and measurement at the Koninklijke Yacht Club Nieuwpoort, in Belgium. More than 200 Lasers were measured without delay. There were beautiful sailing conditions with good wind and waves for the sailors that decided to practice in the bay