Laser Standard Masters World Championship in Mexico

Laser Standard Masters World Championship in Mexico - Day 5

by Eric Faust 28 May 2016 07:07 BST 20-28 May 2016

Laser Standard Masters Worlds at Mexico day 5 © John Pounder / www.jldigitalmedia.zenfolio.com

The Perfect Day on a Laser

If you asked a Laser sailor to draw up the perfect day, a day where a Laser is its absolute most fun to sail, this would be it – sun, warm water, and a steady 12-15 knot breeze. These are the conditions that make upwind sailing a challenge and make downwind sailing an absolute blast. With the wind filling every day like clockwork, so far Riviera Nayarit, Mexico has delivered these perfect conditions in spades, and the sailors here have not been disappointed.

Right on schedule, the sea breeze filled and the day's first race was started in a 10 knot, southwest wind that quickly built to 15 knots. Although going right still seems to be the most popular tactic for the majority of the sailors, like previous days, protecting the middle of the course again paid off.

According to Mike Matan from USA, "I made it a point in this regatta to not overstand the weather mark and it's really helped me. I see a lot of people out there who go hard right and then end up reaching into the top mark and giving up distance. I've been making it a point to get back to the middle of the course a bit early and it seems to help." Matan's sixth and fourth place finishes today keep him in 7th place overall in the tightly contested Masters Division.

Leading the Masters Division is Australian Brett Beyer, who along with American Ernesto Rodrigues each had a first and second place finish today to remain at the top of the overall standings.

Laser Standard Masters Worlds at Mexico day 5 - photo © John Pounder / www.jldigitalmedia.zenfolio.com

In the Grand Masters Division, Gavin Dagley of Australia kept things interesting by posting a 7th place finish in the day's first race, putting him in a virtual tie with Chilean, Cristian Herman. But in the next race, Dagley vindicated himself with another bullet to open up a 5-point lead over Herman going into the final day of the regatta. The real battle in the Grand Masters Division looks to be for third place, with three sailors within 5 point of each other.

American, Doug Peckover, is certainly happy after his first race in the Great Grand Masters Division where he became the only sailor in the fleet to cross the finish line in front of defending champion Mark Bethwaite from Australia. Bethwaite's second place finish becomes his discard, allowing him to keep a perfect string of first place finishes on his score line. Peckover remains in second place overall ahead of Australian, James Temple.

Peckover, pecks over Bethwaite (update from John Roberson)

American skipper Doug Peckover has broken Mark Bethwaite's unbeaten run at the Laser Standard Masters' Worlds in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, defeating the Australian skipper in today's first race, the ninth of the twelve race series.

However Bethwaite came back to win the second race of the day to put himself beyond reach at the top of the table in the Great Grand Masters' fleet, with a nine point advantage over the American.

Commenting on his win, followed by a less impressive fourth place in the second race of the day, Peckover said, "I shouldn't have poked the bear."

Australian Gavin Dagley from Melbourne maintained his position at the top of the Grand Masters' division with a seventh and a win today, giving him a five point margin over second placed Cristain Herman from Chile.

Also maintaining his place at the top of the leaderboard in the Masters' fleet is Sydney based Australian Brett Beyer, who chalked up second and first places today, to go into the final day of racing tomorrow with a thirteen point advantage over American Ernesto Rodriguez.

With a string of eight first places, and discarding two seconds, local skipper Pablo Rabago looks comfortable at the top of the Apprentice Masters' ladder, with a six point lead over Guilherme Roth of Brazil.

The day produced a typical seabreeze scenario with winds in the 10 to 12 knot range for the first race of the day, increasing towards 16 knots for the second race.

With two races to sail on the final day, Saturday, it is unlikely that any of the current leaders will be displaced, with most second places also looking safe.