Laser Standard Masters World Championship in Mexico

Laser Standard Masters World Championship in Mexico - Day 2

by Eric Faust 24 May 2016 06:42 BST 20-28 May 2016

Laser Standard Masters Worlds at Mexico day 2 © John Pounder / www.jldigitalmedia.zenfolio.com

Nothing seems to change the forecast here in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – wind, sun and waves means perfect Laser racing conditions prevailed once again for the Laser Standard Masters Worlds. This part of the coast is known for its reliable thermal winds, and today did not disappoint as the Laser Masters sailors took to the water for races 3 and 4 of the twelve race series.

As anticipated, the day's first race was started in 8 knots winds just after the scheduled 1 p.m. start time. Also, as anticipated, the wind quickly built to 15 knots by the end of the race and held for the rest of the afternoon. Banderas Bay dished out ideal sailing conditions with a nice short chop to keep things interesting upwind, and a larger ocean swell to add to the excitement of the downwind legs.

Although the conventional wisdom in a west coast sea breeze is to favor the right side of the course, in today's races sailors needed to protect the middle of the course in order to reach the top. According to Canadian, Al Clark, "There were definitely lanes of pressure out there and I mainly tried to play the middle of the upwind legs. The left definitely paid off late in the day. Nick Page went left of the second upwind leg of the last race and made big gains. I was able to cross him and hold on for the win, but it looked close for a while." Clark won the day's final race and currently sits in third place in the 39-boat Grand Masters Division behind New Zealand's Nick Page and leader Gavin Dagley from Australia.

In a repeat of yesterday's performance, Australia's Mark Bethwaite scored a perfect day with two more bullets in the Great Grand Masters Division. According to Bethwaite, "This place is sensational! There's a great sea breeze that fills in every day and a nice chop to slash through to windward and ride downwind." Following Bethwaite, Texan, Doug Peckover, found his consistency with a pair of second place finishes to hold second place overall.

In the Masters Division, Brett Beyer of Australia extended his lead with two more first place finishes. But close behind are American, Ernesto Rodriquez, and Kiwi, Andrew Dellabarca, tied for second place with 9 points each.

Racing continues tomorrow in the 12-race series. If two races are completed tomorrow, Wednesday will be a lay-day to give the sailors (and the regatta organizers) a much deserved rest before the conclusion of the event.

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 again chalked up two wins each on the second day of the Laser Standard Masters' World Championships, in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.

Bethwaite maintains his vice like grip on the top spot in the Great Grand Masters division, sailing away to two convincing wins, while Beyer is the will be hard to dislodge from his place at the top of the Masters' leaderboard.

To add to the Australian domination at this event, Gavin Dagley has moved clear at the top of the Grand Masters' fleet, scoring a first and a 12th (discarded), to put him three points clear of Kiwi Nick Page.

Local sailor Pablo Rabago has taken the lead in the five strong Apprentice Masters' fleet, where there are no Australians.

America's Doug Peckover is counting a string of three second places in the Great Grand Masters' to hold second place ahead of Australia's Jim Temple.

Some six points behind Brett Beyer are another American, Ernesto Rodriguez and Kiwi Andrew Dellabarca.

Monday's racing enjoyed what seems to be a standard weather pattern for this time of year, with the seabreeze building from midday onwards to a pleasant 16 to 18 knots.

Bethwaite, who has been contesting Laser World Championships for some 30 years or more, described the conditions off Nuevo Vallarta as "9.9 out of 10".

The championship continues with two races a day until Saturday, except for a lay day on Wednesday.