Sandall sailing well at Laser Europeans
The exciting news for kiwi sailors competing overseas continues with James Sandall from Napier footing it with the World’s best at the 2009 Laser European Championships. The regatta is being sailed in Borstahusens, Sweden.
Sandall is in 2nd place behind Olympic champion Paul Goodison of GBR, and ahead of current World champion, Tom Slingsby of Australia. The kiwi is just 20 years old and represents the Wairoa Yacht Club in Hawkes Bay.
“The wind has been 5-12 knots and pretty shifty,” says Sandall. “I’ve managed to start at the right end of the line, and executing the start well is important.”
In the two races sailed last night Sandall was 4th and then 26th, but despite the hiccup in race six of the regatta, Sandall is able to discard that score form his total. “I still have a lot of work to do over the next three days,” he says.
Great Britain’s Paul Goodison is in a strong leading position with two race wins and two 2nds on his score card and an eleven point leading margin over Sandall. Tom Slingsby of Australia is a further seven points adrift.
Six races of the qualifying series have been sailed over the initial three days of the European Championship in this Olympic class boat. The regatta is now at the mid way point with another six races scheduled over the next three days. Racing concludes and the European title will be decided on August 8th in Sweden.
Sandall finished fifth at Semaine Olympique Francaise, Hyeres, France an ISAF Grade One event in April this year.
New Zealand’s Michael Bullot is in 20th place with some top race finishes including a race win on day one.
2009 Laser European Championships
Top five standings after six races (Total fleet 121)
1st GBR Goodison Paul 14 points
2nd NZL Sandall James 25 points0
3rd AUS Slingsby Tom 32 points
4th RUS Semerkhanov Maxim 32 points
5th ESP Hernandez Javier 33 points
Other New Zealand standings
20th Michael Bullot 61 points
40th Matt Coutts 98 points
56th Max Andrews 122 points
60th David Weaver 126 points