Events

Event information

World Laser Standard Senior Championship 2009

Mon 17th August 2009 - Wed 26th August 2009

CANADA, Halifax

Last start for the gold fleet.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Paul Goodison wins 2009 Laser Worlds.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Wednesday 26th August

There's a new Laser World Champion. Olympic gold medalist Paul Goodison of Great Britain hung on in the final day of competition to take first place at the 2009 Nautel Laser World Championships on St. Margaret's Bay in Nova Scotia.

Coming into the competition, the chief rival of 32-year-old Goodison was 21-year-old Australian Tom Slingsby who won the 2007 and 2008 Worlds. Slingsby came in 17th.

Michael Bullot of New Zealand took second, with Goodison's country-mate Nick Thompson in third in the gold fleet. Argentinean Julio Alsogaray took fourth. Top Canadians were David Wright in 7th, and Michael Leigh in 10th.

Max Andrews of New Zealand took first in the silver fleet, Thomas Barrows of the US Virgin Islands, and Jonasz Stelmaszyk of Poland took third. Top Canadians in the silver fleet were Luke Ramsay in 6th and Abe Torchinsky in 10th.

In the bronze fleet,Landder Balcaen of Belgioum took first, Joaquin Blanco Albalat of Spain took second and country mate Guitian Sarria Paablo took third. Top Canadian in the bronze fleet was Al Clark in fifth.

"The final race was classic with Goodison and Bullot hunting each other at the start," said event manager Duncan Enman. "It was a mesmerizing dance along the start line as each athlete tried to outplay the other. Amazing sailing, amazing sport, as one would expect at a World championship."

Report courtesy of Barbara Pike

Kristian Ruth (NOR) racing hard in the gold fleet.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Canadian sailor enjoying the perfect sailing conditions today.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Tuesday 25th August

It was a Goldilocks story at the 2009 Laser Worlds on St. Margaret's Bay in Nova Scotia. After one day with too much, one day with too little, winds proved to be just right on Tuesday.

With the breeze ranging from nine to 16 knots (19 to 31 kilometres per hour), sailors enjoyed three well deserved and tough races after spending two days ashore.

Olympic Gold medalist Paul Goodison of Great Britain has taken over first place in the gold fleet, followed by country mate Nick Thompson in second and Michael Bullot of New Zealand in third. Croatia's Tonci Stipanovic has dropped to fourth, with Argentinean Julio Alsogaray in fifth. Top Canadian is David Wright in sixth.

In the silver fleet, Thomas Barrows of the US Virgin Island is in first, Max Andrews of New Zealand in second, and Luke Ramsay of Canada in third. Rounding out the top five are Ireland's James Espey and Denmark's Thorbjoem Schierup.

Spain's Guitian Sarria Pablo leads the bronze fleet, with Daniel Verdier of Argentina in second and American Cam Cullman in third.

While a great day of racing has sailors enthused, the arrival of Laser designer, Canadian Bruce Kirby, has also inspired the athletes in the Standards portion of the 2009 Nautel Laser Worlds. Before heading out on the water Tuesday morning, many athletes had their pictures taken with the legendary sailboat designer. In the evening with the competitors for the Masters portion of the Laser Worlds beginning to arrive, it was a mix of veteran and elite athlete milling around the St. Margaret Sailing Club.

"Forty years ago when I drew that first design," said Kirby, "I had no idea what it would turn into. Never in my wildest dream did I expect the success that I see here today."

Report courtesy of Barbara Pike

No races were sailed today due to lack of wind.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Monday 24th August

First too much, then too little.

For the second day in a row there was no racing at the 2009 Nautel Laser Worlds taking placed on St. Margaret's Bay in Nova Scotia.

A brush with Hurricane Bill on Sunday forced organizers to store 196 Laser hulls inside two buildings at the St. Margaret Sailing Club. The boats were unpacked quickly on Monday morning in anticipation of a great day of racing, but St. Margaret's Bay did not live up to its reputation of steady afternoon sea breezes.

Instead the fleet floated around the race committee boat waiting for the wind to fill in. It never did. At one point in disgust, athletes began hitting the hulls of their boats with their tiller extensions, the drum beat echoing across the water, almost calling to the wind.

"It's disappointing to lose two days of racing," said event manager Duncan Enman. "It happens sometimes and just means we will try to get in more races in the next two days. Having a day without wind on St. Margaret's Bay, this time of year, is almost unheard of." While athletes were disappointed with the lack of racing, they also recognize there's not much that can be done. The forecast for Tuesday calls for winds 10 to 15 knots (20 to 32 kilometres per hour). Estonian coach Rein Ottoson, who runs a top-notch racing school in Tallinn said, "I have been to many World sailing events and there was usually a major problem or two with racing and organization. Not here; both the organizing and race committees have been excellent." Major sponsor Nautel of Nova Scotia, which sells broadcast equipment in over 170 countries, has taken the very unusual step of setting up a temporary FM radio station (106.3) under a special licence. The media, hundreds of volunteers ashore, spectators and the general public all enjoy commentary and interviews during these World Championships. One veteran international journalist commented, "It's a great idea because we can listen when often required to stay ashore to write stories to send home."

Report courtesy of Barbara Pike

Hurricane Bill hits St. Margaret Bay.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Sunday 23rd August

Racing for Day Four of the 2009 Nautel Laser World Championships is cancelled due to the effects of Hurricane Bill.

Sailors are expected at the St. Margaret Sailing Club at 7:00 a.m. Monday, August 24th, for further instructions on the removal of their boats and equipment from storage.

The start time of the first race on Monday is one o'clock.

Report courtesy of Barbara Pike

Pelt Gijs (NED) scored 2nd place in the blue fleet in race five.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Matias del Solar (CHI) had a fantastic day today, scoring a second and first place.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Saturday 22nd August

Halifax - St. Margaret's Bay was back to true form for day three of the 2009 Laser Worlds providing ideal conditions for racing and a change in the leader board. Under sunny skies and winds up to 22 knots, Nick Thompson of Great Britain grabbed the lead from Tonci Stipanovic of Croatia.

With five races completed, and one result dropped, there were some new faces in the top five, namely Julio Alsogaray of Argentina in fourth, and Germany's Philipp Buhl in fifth.

Of significance to the shift in standings among the top sailors was the decision to re-race the third race, sailed on Friday, for one fleet. That single race on Friday proved tricky for the blue fleet which had numerous general recalls with more than 20 sailors, one third of the fleet, black flagged and recorded as not starting. Following protests and hearings the decision was made to allow the race to be re-sailed on Saturday.

The results moved Thompson ahead of Stipanovic, a lead he kept to the end of the day. The re-race also briefly put Olympic gold medalist Paul Goodison of Great Britain into third, only to fall back to sixth after the fourth race and jump back to third after the fifth.

Canada's Michael Leigh had a second and fifth on Saturday to move into ninth overall. Team mate David Wright is in 25th.

"It was the best day yet," said sailing photographer Metias Capizzano, "Lots of action, waves, wind; some great racing." Capizzano's pictures of the event are available on the event website at http://www.2009laserworlds.org.

There will be no racing on day four, Sunday. With Hurricane Bill forecast to brush the Nova Scotia coast on Sunday, bringing with it a three metre surge and winds in excess of 50 knots (100 kilometres per hour), organizers have cancelled racing for the day.

Dozens of volunteers spent Saturday securing equipment and readying the site for the storm. After returning to shore, sailors de-rigged and then helped volunteers store the Laser hulls inside the St. Margaret Sailing Clubhouse and race management centre.

"I guess you could call it battening down the hatches," said event co-chair Rod Millar. "At only four metres long, these Lasers would be flying around in winds of 50 knots. Our best solution was to clear the interior of both buildings and store the hulls inside."

Millar says it's hoped to get competitors and volunteers back on site at seven Monday morning to unpack the boats and get ready to sail later in the day.

Report courtesy of Barbara Pike

Listen to live race updates on the water with Andy Macmillan

22nd August 4:54
22nd August 4:38
22nd August 3:00

Olympic gold medallist Paul Goodison (GBR) raced in the yellow fleet today and finished in 5th place.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Friday 21st August

Halifax - Day two of the Laser world championships proved more exercise for volunteers hauling race marks than for the athletes. Fog hanging over the outer reaches of St. Margaret's Bay had the race committee making numerous course changes in an effort to find clear water.

Only one race was completed, on a day the Race Committee hoped to get three races in. Two fleets managed to get in a quick race, but the third fleet proved anxious. There were numerous general recalls for sailors crossing the line early, more than 20 sailors black flagged (which took them out of the race) and still it took an hour and a half to get the fleet off, which prevented further starts. After three race, Tonci Stipanovic of Croatia remains in the lead, American Clayton Johnson in second, Nick Thompson of Great Britain in third, Pavlos Kontikes of Cyprus has moved to fourth and Olympic gold medalist Paul Goodison of Great Britain in fifth. Bernard Luttmer of Canada is in 18th spot after three races. Team mate David Wright is in 20th and Christopher Dold in 25th.

While the 169 athletes competing in the 2009 Nautel Laser World Championships were having a rough day on the water, on land, organizers were preparing a contingency plan for Hurricane Bill. It's currently forecast to brush Nova Scotia on Sunday. Racing will continue as planned on Saturday, but if the hurricane continues on its current track, races will be cancelled on Sunday. "After racing on Saturday, the athletes will help volunteers move the Laser hulls into the main clubhouse and race management centre," says event co-chair Rod Millar. "Masts and rigging will be lashed down and secured in protected areas, as will the dollies used to wheel the boats around." "The athletes will bring their sails and foils [centerboards and rudders] to their residences so they don't need to be stored on site." Other equipment and tents used for the championship will be broken down and stored. "The current plan is to get back on the water Monday," says Millar. "It's definitely a disruption to the Laser Worlds, but we're sailors, this happens."

Report courtesy of Barbara Pike

Listen to live race updates on the water with Andy Macmillan

21st August 7:14
21st August 4:01

Clayton Johnson (USA) sailed in the yellow fleet
and scored a fantastic 2nd and 3rd place today.
(© Matias Capizzano / capizzano.com)

Thursday 20th August

Halifax - St. Margaret's Bay didn't disappoint on the first day of racing at the Laser World Championships. Conditions were 'Laser' perfect with clear skies and winds ranging from 18 to 20 knots (35 to 39 kilometres per hour) and water temperatures at 19 Celsius.

The Bay gave the world's top sailors a small taste of what's to come over the next seven days of racing. Hot, hazy conditions, with smooth two to three foot seas, provided absolutely perfect racing for the 169 athletes from 51 countries competing at the 2009 Nautel Laser World Championships. Top finishers after the first day of racing are Tonci Stipanovic from Croatia in top spot, Nick Thompson of Great Britain in second, American Clayton Johnson in third, Bruno Fontes from Brazil in fourth and German Philipp Buhl in fifth. Full results are available at www.2009laserworlds.org

The day was not without its problems. There were four general recalls in the first race - and at least four gear failures. One failure included Olympic gold medalist Paul Goodison from Great Britain. It put him in sixth place in his fleet, 16th overall, after the first race. He took a second in the second race to finish sixth overall for the day. Canada has four sailors in the top 25 after the first day. They are Christopher Dold in 15th, Michale Leigh in 18th, Bernard Luttmer in 23rd and David Wright in 25th. One experienced, but retired Laser sailor said, "It was absolutely thrilling to watch these top athletes snap those small dinghies around race marks with such practiced perfection."

St. Margaret's Bay lived up to its superb reputation for steady winds during the first round of the 2009 Laser Worlds, and the many top athletes gathered here hope that the predicted track of Hurricane Bill will not spoil these ideal conditions. With US and Canadian Hurricane Centres currently predicting Hurricane Bill brushing the Nova Scotia coast on Sunday, the Race Committee has moved the first race of the day on Friday to noon. The early start may help accommodate an extra race to get ahead of schedule in case a day of racing is cancelled by storm conditions.

Report courtesy of Barbara Pike

Listen to live race updates on the water

20th August 3:57
20th August 2:06
20th August 12:13

17th August - 19th August

The first three days of the championship were taken up with measurment, registration and charter boat allocation, followed by a practice race and a truly spectacular opening ceremony on the 19th August.