2002 Laser Masters Worlds Day 3

B

Bradley

Guest
2002 Laser Masters Worlds

Hyannis YC. Cape Cod USA

Day 3

Again the sailors were greeted with leaden skies and rain. The fleets left
shore early in anticipation of a fading breeze through the day. However
once on the course area visibility became greatly reduced and the starts
were delayed. After 2 hours with a further reduction in visibility the
fleets were sent ashore with the hope of getting out again if and when
conditions cleared.

At 1pm the sailors were sent out in an 8 knot North Easterly for a 2pm
start. Once on the course area the breeze strengthened and the Grandmaster
fleet was first to start 15 knots of wind.

The change in conditions brought about a mix of results with Keith Wilkins
from Great Britain and Rob Lowndes from Australia scoring wins today. With
these results they both overtook Bill Symes of the US who held the
overnight lead but now sits in third position. Wilkins would have had two
firsts if he had not hit the downwind gate in the second race allowing
Peter Seidenberg USA and Lowndes through. Wilkins recovered one place on
the final short beat to the finish.

In the Apprentice fleet Andreas John of Germany and Brett Beyer of
Australia had victories. Andreas now holds the lead in this division but
the top five remain close on points. The leading US sailor Andrew Pimental
was disqualified for being over the line at the start gun in the first race
of the day but had a fourth place in the second heat to remain in
contention. John, a long time Laser sailor, has been campaigning in a 49er
dinghy for the 2004 Olympics until several weeks ago. He said "it is good
to get back on the helm although I am slow at the starts through lack of
practice."

Runaway leader in the Masters Ed Adams of the US did not fare so well
today. He scored a 16th and 13th places but still maintains a 10-point
break over the rest of the field. The races today were won by Tracey Usher
of the US and Mark Bethwaite of Australia. Charles Tripp of the US had the
lowest points for the day with second place finishes in both heats.

In the Radial Fleet Apprentice division Mark Orams from New Zealand still
has the overall lead but now by a single point after defending champion
Stephen Cockerill from Great Britain won both heats today.

The Radial Masters division's lead has now been taken over by Adam French
of Australia, who with two victories today take his total of wins to four
for the regatta. Overnight leader Alden Shattuck scored two second places
to hold 2nd overall 3 points behind French.

US sailor, Lindsay Hewitt kept his lead in the Grand Masters over Mark
Miller from New Zealand after scoring a 3rd and 2nd place however the mover
in this division was Geoff Lucas of Australia with a 1st and 3rd to now
move up the standings to third overall.

In the Great Grandmaster division Dick Tillman of the US maintained his
perfect record with two more victories to take his tally to five. Defending
champion Henry de Wolf had two second places to maintain his grip on second
overall.

Full results, reports and photos at www.laserworlds2002.com/masters/

International Laser Class Association
email: [email protected]
website: http://www.laserinternational.org
 

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