Press release 71WARNEMUENDER WOCHE 8 July 2008
Leigh from Canada wins Laser Europa Cup
90 OK-Dinghies took off into worlds
On day five of the WARNEMUENDER WOCHE the sailors experienced showers and sunshine in turns. Increasing west winds up to six Beaufort challenged not only the Laser Europa Cup fleets. Canadian Mike Leigh snatched the title from leading Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Bernaz. Jon Emmet (GBR) sailed to a clear victory in the Laser Radial class, with Sarah Steyaert from France winning the women’s competition. Karl Purdie (New Zealand) scored two bullets to take the lead in the offbeat of the OK-worlds.
Warnemuende, 8 July 2008 – Some damage and injuries had to be counted when the sailors came back from the courses in the early afternoon. Up to two races in heavy winds and waves demanded a lot of the athletes on Tuesday and forced the race officers to quit early.
In the Laser Europa Cup two races where sailed on the last day before Mike Leigh had secured the title. He scored a bullet and a second to overtake leading Jean-Baptiste Bernaz from France in the overall standing after seven races. “I had good constant speed today and favoured the changing conditions”, the 24-year old from Canada stated.
But Bernaz who lead the series for several days wasn’t too disappointed. “I am preparing for the Olympic Games in China and the WARNEMUENDER WOCHE was a good training for me. I have reduced weight for the expected conditions in Qingdao and with 76 kilos I am better in light winds now”, said the 21 year old sailor. “But I wanted to train some heavy wind racing and therefore it was a good day, even though I lost the title”, he said. Third became the German Oltmann Thyen who sailed a great final to catch bronze.
Jon Emmet from Great Britain crowned his comeback in the Laser Radial class with a victory at the WARNEMUENDER WOCHE. The 31-year old restarted sailing in May after suffering a serious spine operation and sailed an impressive series to win the class of 156 boats. “I am preparing for the Europeans in Belgium and the weather here showed all kinds of conditions, it was a good training”, said Emmet. In the Olympic women’s competition Sarah Steyaert from France took first place.
The Laser 4.7 class had a tough day as the young sailors needed all their power in the increasing winds and high waves. After seven races the Italian Giovanni Coccoluto was overall winner, followed by Sam Vandormael from Belgium and Jaroslaw Gozdzik from Poland.
The conditions for the 90 starters in the highly competitive OK class could not have been better. Strong winds and long waves brought a great start on the first day of the world championship.
“It was one of these days, where everything went well”, Karl Purdie cheered. The New Zealander scored two straight wins. “It was a great day. I got many of the shifts right, except the last one, but that did not matter any more”, he stated. By then the 42-year old was already far in front. Defending world champion Nick Craig from Great Britain finished seventh and third to take second place overall, tied in points with Mark Perrow (NZL) on third.
The record of the long distance race will not be beaten, because the fleet of 62 remaining yachts has to tack on their way back home after rounding the island of Bornholm and will not finish in time.
Preview for Wednesday, 9 July
OK-class World Championship
Finish of the long distance race
Schedule, results and further Information: www.warnemuender-woche.com
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