Day 3 of Laser Radial World Youth Champs
The wind arrived on the Clyde a little later than predicted today causing yet another long postponement, but thankfully a light south-westerly made its way up towards the race course area – just to the north of Cumbrae – by mid afternoon allowing two qualifying races to be held.
Fully refreshed from yesterday’s opening races, the 320 young sailors enjoyed another afternoon of intense racing in a steady 6-8kt breeze, which saw new stock emerging at the head of the leaderboard. With 42 nations represented and some of the world’s most talented youngsters here in Largs for this major international regatta, only the brave would, at this stage of the regatta, attempt to speculate as to who could emerge likely winners.
The racing today couldn’t have been much closer in both fleets with the consistent Americans scoring a collection of first places. In the Girls’ fleet, 17-year-old Erika Reineke from Florida, who took bronze at the recent ISAF Youth World Championship in Turkey, kicked off well with two second places in yesterday’s opening races, and today sailed impressively to better that position with two firsts. She is now in a strong position in the Girls’ fleet overall, just one point behind Manami Doi (JPN). Doi (Yellow flight) sailed an exceptional race again today, adding another first to her 2,1 scoreline.
Erika Reineke (USA): “The conditions were fairly light about 5-8kts. In the first race I rounded the windward mark in about fifth place then I caught up to first on the downwind and led from there on. In the second I led from the start from the pin end. I then just port-tacked the fleet and went out to the right. That was my game plan. I then tacked back and I was in the lead. Today the key factors were ensuring you had a good start and the pin end was the place to be. Also I had good boat speed, which was important. Tomorrow I’ll be trying for more of the same but it is still early days and anything can happen at this stage.”
After today’s racing, a pattern is clearly starting to establish itself but there is one day of qualifying races remaining so it is still ‘early days’. Once the necessary four or more qualifying races are complete, boats will be assigned to final series fleets Gold, Silver and Bronze on the basis of their ranks in the qualifying series. The finals to determine the world champions will take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Manami Doi (JPN): “It was an interesting day. I didn’t have a particularly good start but managed to work my way through the fleet and by the second windward mark I was leading.”
Girls Overall after Day 3, 4 races, 1 discard (qualifying series)
1 Manami Doi (JPN) 3pts
2 Erika Reineke (USA) 4pts
3 Tiril Bue (FIN) 10pts
You can read more details of the regatta, including the boys fleet information at th Event website : Event Website: www.laserworlds2010.co.uk/radialyouth
