Record participation for 2014 Audi Laser Masters' World Championships
by Randolph Bertin 1 Oct 2014 08:04 BST
5-11 October 2014
515 sailors from 36 countries are set for the Audi Laser Masters' Worlds in Hyeres © ILCA
The largest Laser world championship in history will be taking place on the south coast of France when 515 sailors, representing 36 different countries, will begin racing on October 5 to open the 2014 Audi Laser Masters' World Championships. The Laser remains one of the best and most popular boats worldwide in which to enjoy the sport of sailing. Two separate race courses will be set up to handle the large number of competitors.
Sailors will be competing in several age categories and different rig types. The split between the Standard Laser and the Laser Radial is almost exactly half and the largest group will be the Laser Standard Grand Master (age 55-64) with 90 sailors registered. The top returning sailor in that division is Terry Scutcher, who finished 2nd in Oman in 2013.
Women compete directly with men in the championships, and Vanessa Dudley of Australia is the top returning female sailor who won the 2013 Radial Grand Master Division outright, edging out Bruce Martinson of the USA by 1 point. Both will be making the trip to France.
Sailing is one of the few sports in which age is not a deterrent to competing at a high level. Peter Seidenberg of the United States and Denis O'Sullivan of Ireland have participated in every Laser Masters World Championship except one and Seidenberg is the favourite to sail away with another title in his group. The oldest sailor on the line will be Claude Tigier of France at 79.
lasermasters.coych.org