If there was a perfect day for sailing, it was Friday on St. Margaret’s Bay just outside Halifax, NS. For the 300 athletes from 27 countries competing in the 2009 Nautel Laser Master World Championships, the day provided ideal conditions for racing. Under sunny skies and with a steady breeze of 16 to 18 knots, it was a day to test endurance, skill and strength.
…And on that perfect day, Richard Roberts moved up one spot in the Radial Grand Masters Fleet to top ten, with two fine finishes of 9th and 11th. Richard and the other Masters have one more day of racing; for Richard, one more day to hold that top 10 in the world status. It makes those of us who have sufferred defeat for years at the hands of Richard feel much better.
For Rob Koci, whose exploits have been followed on this site, it was a very good day. With finishes of 2 and 1, Rob still sits 8th, but moves all the way to 2nd as soon as he is able to drop his finish of 22 with one more race. The miracle finish is still possible, although he will require lots of help because the leader, Peter Hayward of Australia, also had finishes of 2 and1 and has sailed extremely consistentently throughout the regatta.
In other fleets, Canadian Joe Van Rossem, at age 70, remains top 10 in the Great Grand Masters Fleet and Ray Davies 4th in the Apprentice Full Rig Fleet. Masters Andy Roy and Terry Nielson are 6th and 9th respectively in the Full Rig Gold Fleet…all with a shot at a medal with an outstanding last day of racing. Stay tuned…