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The weather bureau has predicted big winds
and seas for the early stages of the Olympic class Laser
World Championship that starts off The Haven at Terrigal on
the NSW Central Coast on Wednesday.
One hundred and sixty sailors representing 56 nations will
face the starter’s gun in a practice race at 2.30pm on
Wednesday before the real deal starts on Thursday with
racing set to commence at 1.00pm each day.
Forecasters expect up to 25 knots of north-easterly winds
tomorrow, when many competitors will be out practicing on
the offshore courses. Competitors can expect a southerly
change on Wednesday morning of up to 25 knots throughout the
day on a four metre swell, which will favour the heavier
sailors who enjoy surfing down waves in offshore conditions.
A south-easterly change has been forecast for Thursday in
the 15-25 knot range, while Friday is predicted to be a
south-westerly of 20-25 knots. In other words, no let up for
competitors. Rain is expected all week too, until Sunday
when the sun is supposed to shine for the first time.
The Central Coast is well represented, with recently turned
23 year-old Tom Slingsby, the reigning world champion.
Slingsby has already been selected to the Australian Sailing
Team for the Beijing Games.
He comes to the worlds having won the Australian Laser
Championship and finishing second to Great Britain’s best,
Paul Goodison, at the Asia Pacific Series, both Sail
Melbourne events.
Goodison is expected to be Slingsby’s greatest rival here,
but in such a tough class, there are others to be wary of,
including Michael Leigh (CAN) who beat him at the Sydney
International Regatta in December.
For 26 nations there is more than the Championship to worry
about. Only 10 Olympic places remain, with 26 countries
fighting for them. These Laser Worlds are their final
opportunity.
Then there are cases such as that of Michael Leigh. Although
Canada has qualified, Leigh has to fight it out with a few
others from Canada for the one Olympic place - and the
competition is tough. Bernard Luttmar is perhaps Leigh’s
most dangerous opponent.
“This is the toughest class because of the in-depth quality
of sailors. For some of those attempting to qualify, they
will have the added challenge of hitting targets set by
their countries. The fact that there are 56 nations here in
Terrigal makes it a bigger mountain to climb,” said Jeff
Martin, the Executive Secretary of the International Laser
Association.
Rajesh Choudhary is one such sailor. Not only is he trying
to qualify his nation, India, Choudhary will compete against
fellow countryman Ajay Rau for the one prized Olympic place,
provided he finishes well enough to qualify his country!
“I made the Gold (top) fleet at the Laser Nationals at Sail
Melbourne and I feel confident I can make the Gold fleet
here and qualify. I have been in Australia one month now at
regattas and training. I have trained hard, because it is so
important to make the Olympic team,” Choudhary said.
“I saw the weather forecast for the next few days. I will
have to change my technique, as I am used to sailing in
lighter winds – I struggle a bit in big winds, but later in
the Championship it looks like it will be light, so that is
good,” he said.
Patrick McCosh from Zimbabwe is in a similar situation. “I
am the only one from my country here, but it’s hard to tell
if I will make qualification or not. I don’t know a lot
about the other guys trying to qualify, so I’ll just have to
go out and sail my best,” he said.
“I’ll know more in four days time – ask me then,” said
McCosh, referring to sussing out the competition during the
early days of the Championship.
“I won the bronze medal at the All-African Games, so that
gives me some hope. But I go better in light winds; that’s
what we get at home – and that coupled with the competition,
will decide whether I qualify my country or not,” he added.
To follow the Laser World Championship, go to:
http://aus08laserinternational.org
Further information:
Di Pearson,
2008 Laser Worlds media manager,
Phone: 0410 792 131
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