Rindom Wins 2019 Laser Radial Women’s Worlds!

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/