Miho Bay, Sakaiminato City, Japan
Anne-Marie Rindom of Denmark decisively won the 2019 Laser Radial Women’s World Championship today with consistent sailing in the final two races. She was the regatta leader going into the final day, with a two point lead over Ecem Guzel (TUR) and a ten point lead over Tuula Tenkanen (FIN), but the eight to ten knot westerly breeze varied throughout the race and across the course. There were big gains to made, or lost.
In the first race, most of the top-ten in the regatta were in the bottom half of the fleet at the first weather mark. Most of them worked their way up through the fleet in the remaining legs, but Rindom did so best, finishing sixth. The others finished in the high teens, or worse. Completion of this 10th race of the event made a second discard available.
Discarding a 28 from the Qualifying Series, Rindom established a 30+ point lead over Tuula Teknanen (FIN) and Charlotte Rose (USA), who moved up into second and third places. A conservative 15th place finish in the final race cemented Rindom’s win, but places shuffled below her. Marit Bouwmeester (NED) moved up to second with a 10th place finish, despite a letter score in the first race, and Alison Young (GBR) claimed third with an 11th in the final race.
In the Men’s Championship, Simon de Gendt (BEL) held his lead to win the event followed by Zac West (AUS), despite West’s retirement from the final race. Guilherme Perez (BRA) and Erwan Lamoueux (SUI) traded places for the day, with Pereze claiming third and Lamoueux finishing fourth overall. Mark Louis (AUS) held onto fifth place.
For the important 2020 Olympic Games berths, positions within the top 10 countries were shuffled, but none of the four hopeful countries (Guatemala, Thailand, Spain, and Saint Lucia) did well enough to move up and claim a spot for the 2020 Games.
The evening concluded with Closing Ceremonies offered with full Japanese hospitality – great food and drinks, and an impressive display of Taiko drumming. PRO Hugh Leicester offered thanks to the organizers, officials from the Tottori prefecture, the Japanese Sailing Federation, and the Japanese Laser Class Association. He also offered a somber memorial to the passing of long-time Laser Class supporter Jeff Martin, who remains sorely missed.
Women:
1. Anne-Marie Rindom DEN 50 (135) pts…total (without two discards)
2. Marit Bouwmeester NED 86 (158) pts
3. Alison Young GBR 89 (156) pts
4. Emma Plasschaert BEL 106 (158) pts
5. Marie Barrue FRA 106 (176) pts
Men:
1. Simon de Gendt BEL 20 (76) pts…total (without two discards)
2. Zac West AUS 26 (66) pts
3. Guilherme Perez BRA 49 (81) pts
4. Erwan Lamoureux SUI 51 (104) pts
5. Mark Louis AUS 58 (92) pts
2020 Olympic Qualification (14 countries for 10 places):
1. Croatia CRO 164 pts
2. Lithuania LTU 178 pts
3. Argentina ARG 185 pts
4. Belarus BLR 211 pts
5. Australia AUS 213 pts
6. Uruguay URU 225 pts
7. Russia RUS 232 pts
8. Ireland IRL 233 pts
9. New Zealand NZL 234 pts
10. Cypress CYP 252 pts
11. Guatemala GUA 253 pts
12. Thailand THA 257 pts
13. Spain ESP 264 pts
14. Saint Lucia LCA 279 pts
For more information:
Event Website – https://2019worlds.laserjapan.org/radial/
Results – https://2019worlds.laserjapan.org/radial/results/ Photo Galleries – https://www.facebook.com/2019-Laser-Worlds-JAPAN-284629198769700/