2013 Laser World Champs: Maloney makes a solid start

The 2013 Laser World Championships are underway with two races sailed on the opening day of the pinnacle Olympic class regatta being staged on Muscat, Oman.

Photo by Oman Sail: Andy Maloney in action

There are five kiwis competing in Oman with Andy Maloney making the best start of the New Zealand contingent in the solid breeze on day one. The Murrays Bay Sailing Club sailor is in 10^th position after placing 7^th in both of his blue fleet races today.

With plenty of big names featuring in the top ten it was a good day for the favourites, and Maloney has opened with a strong signal that he’s a serious medal contender. The regatta is run over six days so there are five remaining.

Also starting well was 21 year old Thomas Saunders who is in 14^th overall at the end of day one after placing 15^th and then 4^th on the race course today. Sam Meech is in 40^th after a 16^th and a 26^th.

The 126-strong fleet is split in two for the racing in the qualifying rounds.The qualifying races continue on Monday with two scheduled for each day until Wednesday. The finals series starts on Thursday with the last two showdowns set for Saturday.

2013 Laser World Championships, Muscat, Oman
New Zealand’s standings after day one (total fleet 126)

10^th Andy Maloney (7, 7)
14^th Thomas Saunders (15, 4)
40^th Sam Meech (16, 26)
91^st Michael Cate (39, 50)
106^th George Lane (49, 54)

Links
Regatta website: http://omanlaserworlds2013.com/eng/index.php
NZL Sailing Team on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NZLSailingTeam
Yachting New Zealand website: http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/
NZL Sailing Team sailor profiles: http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/racing/nzl-sailing-team/team-profiles

For more information:

Jodie Bakewell-White
YNZ Communications Manager
Tel. 021 709 065
Email. jodie@yachtingnz.org.nz