Laser Europa Cup Nieuwpoort 2009 & Open Belgian Championship Laser 2009
Day 4 - July 26, 2009
In the Laser Standard the close racing between Wannes Van Laer (BEL) and Joaquin Blanco (ESP) continued. Wannes finished
twice before Joaquin which made the last race decisive. However in the last race Joaquin won. With equal points and an
equal number of first and second places Joaquin won the regatta thanks to his last race. Lander Balcaen (BEL) became
third. With a second and a first place Marcin Rudawski (POL) extended his lead in the Laser Radial and didn't need a
third race to win the regatta. Sam Vandormael (BEL) became second and first youth sailor (under 17, under 19). Anthony
Pieters (BEL) was third. In the Laser 4.7 race Matthias Van de Loock (BEL) kept his lead before Tom Pelsmaekers (BEL)
and Nicola Strehle. Maxim Nikolaev (RUS) was the first youth sailor (Under 16).
Final Results:
Photo by Koen Meeusen
Race 1
After a last and short meteo briefing the slipway was opened at 8h30, quite a bit earlier than the other days.
Thanks to a favorable current the sailors were rapidly in the vicinity of the start boat. A shifty southerly wind and a
relatively strong cross current made things difficult for the race committee. The windward mark was dropped at 0,65NM
in a direction of 170° and the Laser Standard started on time. The Laser Radial needed a second start after a
general recall and the Laser 4.7 started shortly thereafter.
Race 2
The Standard fleet gets its second start only an hour after their first one in the same circumstances. The Radial
fleet had again a general recall. Then the wind shifted ca. 25° so the race committee had to change the course. During
this procedures the wind changed again and finally the race committee places the course for a wind of 180°. This took
considerable time in which the Laser fleet finished its second race and they could start immediately after the Laser 4.7
second race.
Race 3
The Radial fleet started (under black flag after a general... will they ever learn?) but the wind shifted again.
What was first tought to be a cloud effect appeared to be lasting. The race had to be cancelled and resailed. The new
course was laid for a wind of 220° and only 20 minutes before the time limit the last start was given for the
Laser 4.7.
- by Paul Charlier, PRO.
Day 3 - July 25, 2009
It's getting a very interesting regatta with in the Laser Standard Joaquin Blanco (ESP) and Wannes Van Laer (BEL) competing for the first place. During day 1
Wannes took the lead but during day 3 day Blanco was the strongest sailor. In the Laser Radial races we have a close fight between Marcin Rudawski (POL) and
Sam Vandormael (BEL). In the Laser 4.7 Matthias Van de Loock (BEL) is leading with a few competitors following closely.
Provisional Results:
Photo by Morris Adant
Race 1
The weather conditions for today predicted great sailing. Due to the spring conditions which result in very low water levels the plan was to start
a half hour later, i.e. 13h30. The launch at 12h00 went smoothly and it took only half an hour to get all competitors on their way. Out there a 12 kn
to 14 kn of westerly wind blew. A helicopter was keeping a watchfull eye on the fleet. For most of us it's quite unusual and a bit noisy but we hope to
get some exciting shots from it. Then at 13h30, spot on time, the warning signal for the Laser Standard fleet was given. The Laser Radial needed one
general recall and the Laser 4.7 followed in a race that was sailed in ca. 45 minutes.
Race 2
The Laser Standard fleet started as soon they were ready for the second race of the day. The wind and the bouys were still the same, the current
had its full NE power. Shortly after the Laser Radial fleet succeeded in starting without a general recall closely followed by the Laser 4.7 fleet.
Although we measured only winds of 10 kn to 14 kn and had waves not higher than 0,75 m there was a lot of material failure: 2 masts broken, a broken
main block, a broken vang block, etc.
Race 3
At 16h05 the Laser Standard fleet takes its start and for the first time in 5 races two boats have got OCS. In unchanged conditions Laser Radials,
after their general recall, and Laser 4.7 started for the last race of day. One BFD was noted with the Radials. In a glorious sunshine and winds between
10 kn and 12 kn this sailing day ends in perfect conditions.
A tomato soup awaits the competitors after beaching. As there wer no protests, it was a very happy day not only for the competitors but also for
coaches and the racing and protest committee.
- by Paul Charlier, PRO.
Day 2 - July 24, 2009
Day 1 - July 23, 2009
Measurement and Registration - July 22, 2009
Introduction
See Laser Europa Cup venue website:
KYCN Website
Photo by Freddy Orban
During the sailor and coach briefing our meteo officer Joep Straus predicted 14 kn to 17 kn of wind but
a trough comes near to us which carries 24 kn to 28 kn of wind. Therefore the R.C. decided to postpone racing with 2
hours. After initial postponement and many showers with strong wind gusts the R.C. abandonned racing for
the remainder of the day. As we've got a better weather forecast for the coming next two days we'll try to catch up by
doing 3 races instead of 2 per day.
Photo by Morris Adant (morris@flypicture.be)
Race 1
The racing committee postpones the start and the different fleets get under way in a fair wind starting at 14kn and
decreasing to 10kn and oscillating between 250° and 260°. Due to a high current speed (1,5kn and over) the R.C. overestimated
the Laser's speed and the first race is sailed in 90 minutes.
Race 2
Having learnt their lesson the R.C. shortens the course to 0,55NM for the windward leg. The Standard fleet starts correctly
but a 20° wind shift forces the R.C. to break off the starting procedure. One general recall later the Radial fleet followed
by the 4.7 get on their way. Wind strengthens again to 14-16kn and all fleets enter under a glowing sun.
Glorious sailing conditions today!
Click here for: Photos of today
made by Morris Adant
Provisional Results:
Photo by Koen Meeusen
Photo by Thom Touw