Laser Standard Masters World Championship in Mexico - Day 1
by Eric Faust 23 May 2016 07:24 BST
20-28 May 2016
The last of four, back-to-back Laser World Championships in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico kicked off today with perfect sailing conditions. Two races were completed in the Laser Standard Masters World Championships under sunny skies with wind ranging from 9 to 16 knots.
Race one was started in 9 knot winds from 210 degrees – south of the typical sea breeze direction. As expected the wind increased in velocity and clocked right during the race, which rewarded those who chose the right hand side of the course.
Race two was started in 13 knots and soon built to 16 knots by the finish. Unlike the first race, the right side was not favored this time. According to Australian sailor, Brett Beyer, "The left side was definitely favored in the second race. I worked the middle left on the first beat and then stayed left again on the second upwind leg." The strategy worked for Beyer, who is the defending champion in the Grand Masters Division, as he posted two first place finishes to lead his division.
Fellow Australian Mark Bethwaite also had a perfect day on the water with two bullets in the Great Grand Masters Division. "It was great sailing out there!" said Bethwaite. Like Beyer, Bethwaite is the defending world champion in his age division and leads former Masters champion, Doug Peckover, by four points.
In the Grand Masters Division, two sailors are tied for the lead with four points after the first day of racing. Nick Page of New Zealand found the stronger wind to his liking as he posted a third and a first, while Gavin Dagley scored two second place finishes to keep things even at the top of the leader board.
To complete the Southern Hemisphere's domination of the day, Brazil's Guilherme Roth leads the Apprentice Masters Division with 3 points on the day along with Pablo Rabago of Mexico.
Racing continues tomorrow in the 12-race series.
First held in 1980, the Laser Masters World Championship is organized annually for sailors age 35 and over. Sailors compete in various divisions based on their ages: Apprentice Masters – age 35 to 44, Masters – age 45 to 54, Grand Masters – age 55 to 64, and Great Grand Masters – age 65 and over. Unlike previous years, this year's event was sailed on two separate weeks, one for Laser Radial sailors and one for Laser Standard sailors.
Update from John Roberson
Australians Mark Bethwaite and Brett Beyer set the pace on the first day of the Laser Masters Worlds, Standard Division, chalking up two wins from two races.
Both skippers are from Sydney, with Bethwaite romping away to score two wins in the Great Grand Masters, while Beyer did the say in the Masters.
In the Grand Masters fleet, Kiwi Nick Page and Aussie Gavin Dagley share the top spot with a first and a second each.
The only fleet in which Australia does not top the leaderboard is the five strong Apprentice Masters' fleet, where Brazil's Guilherme Roth shares the top spot with Mexican Pablo Rabago.
The first of the days two races was sailed in a 12 to 15 knot westerly, with the breeze building to towards 20 knots for the second race.
Both Bethwaite and Beyer are defending the titles they won last year in Kingston, Ontario, with Bethwaite undefeated since he became a Great Grand Master in 2013.
Gavin Dagley finished fifth in the Grand Masters last year, while Nick Page was 19th. The only two people who beat Dagley last year, who are at this event are Americans Mark Bear and Vann Wilson, who are currently in 10th and 16th places.
Results after Day 1: (top three by division)
Apprentice Masters Division
1) Guilherme Roth BRA 3pts
2) Pablo Rabago MEX 3pts
3) Alejandro Rabago MEX 3pts
Masters Division
1) Brett Beyer AUS 2pts
2) Ernesto Rodriguez USA 7pts
3) Andrew Dellabarca NZL 10pts
Grand Masters Division
1) Nick Page NZL 4pts
2) Gavin Dagley AUS 4pts
3) Steve Gunther AUS 10pts
Great Grand Masters Division
1) Mark Bethwaite AUS 2pts
2) Doug Peckover USA 6pts
3) James Temple AUS 8pts
Full results at www.laserworlds2016.org/index.php/mstand-results