Issue date
The Barfoot & Thompson NZ Laser Nationals concluded today with all divisions completing the scheduled two races meaning that all races for the series were completed on schedule for the first time at a Laser Nationals in several years. Todays races were held in light and very shifty SW winds with a strong tide but pretty flat water, which provided a change from the sea breeze conditions over the preceding three days. So overall Takapuna provided beautiful sailing conditions and with exceptional organisation on and off the water from Takapuna Boating Club this ensured an exceptionally successful contest.
Start Barfoot & Thompson Laser Nationals Day 3 - series winner Andrew Maloney (181961) is buried mid-line
In the Open division overnight leader Andy Maloney was victorious overall, recording his first race win of the series in the first race today followed by a 2nd in the final race to win by three points from fellow NZL squad members Tom Saunders in second, Sam Meech in third and Mike Bullot in fourth. Maloney won out overall through consistency, with his worst counter a 3rd even though he only scored a single race win. By contrast all his NZL team mates won more races but were less consistent overall. Leading visitor was China’s Jianan Wu in 5th who was followed by Under 21 winner Andrew McKenzie in 6th.
Sam Meech - Day 3 - Barfoot & Thompson Laser Nationals - Takapuna, January 2015
In the Radials Youth George Gautrey capped off an exceptional series with a 3/1 record today to convincingly take out the Radial division overall by a 14 point margin as well as the Male Youth title. Second overall was female Olympic hopeful Susannah Pyatt, who got the better of last years champion and our 2012 Olympic rep Sara Winther who ended up 4th. Another to have a great day was Youth Alastair Gifford from Queen Charlotte YC who matched Gautrey with a 1/3 record today to secure third overall. Ali Nightingale had another consistent day to overtake Jia Kim of Korea and secure the Female Youth title and George Lane in 5th was the first Radial Open sailor.
In the Masters Radial Scott Leith maintained his perfect record to secure another overall Radial Masters title from two other AM’s, Ed Tam in second after a 2/2 result today and Tony Evans in third. Leading Master was Richard Blakey in 4th and leading GM Kevin Jenkins from Onerahi in 5th who will be exceptionally pleased to have bettered current GM Radial World champion Mike Keeton, who had a challenging day to end up 9th overall. Jim Quinn took the GGM honours from Greg Fry.
In the Masters Standards Kris Decke convincingly secured the title again with victory in the first race of the day. He was followed by leading GM Peter Kempkers in second who had an excellent series to lead first Master Mark Patterson who was third overall. They were followed by Pupuke's AM Rob Bland in 4th and GM Nick Page in 5th. Chris Sadler won the day with a 2/4 record to end up second Master and 8th overall.
In the 4.7 Phillip Governale was again victorious to secure the title from Emiri Koya.
Nick Page
Photos courtesy of Lissa Reyden on LiveSailDie.com and lissaphotography.co.nz.
