Abandoned racing ensures tough final series at 2020 ILCA Laser Standard Men's World Championship
by Clare Ridgway 14 Feb 18:57 NZDT
9-16 February 2020
2020 Laser World Championships - Day 4 racing abandoned © Jon West Photography
Racing was abandoned on day four of the 2020 ILCA Laser Standard Men's World Championship due to scattered lightning and squalls of up to 38 knots. Racing was initially postponed due to lack of wind, but failed to increase enough before the strong winds set in.
Today was scheduled to be the first day of finals with competitors split into Gold, Silver and Bronze Fleets. Six races will now be condensed across the two remaining days which are both predicted to be 15 to 20 knots from the South East.
"This weekend's wind will mean it is a really physical end to the regatta," said Australian Sailing Team Laser Head Coach Michael Blackburn. "The guys' performance and endurance in those last two days is going to count for everything. There will be more nuances in their decisions and their ability to make snap decisions in a dense fleet, it's going to make all the difference."
For more information on the 2020 ILCA Laser Standard Men's World Championship and full results visit event website.
Australian Results after Day 4: (124 entries - three fleets of 40+, three days qualifying six races, then finals)
4th: Matt Wearn 6, 4, 2, 2, 2, (11) - 16pts
5th: Luke Elliott 3, 6, 2, 1, 10, 7 - 17pts
16th: Finn Alexander 2, 1, (15), 2, 12, 14 - 31pts
23rd: Mitchell Kennedy (13), 7, 9, 9, 8, 9 - 42pts
27th: Tom Burton 7, 13, 9, 7, 8, (15) - 44pts