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2009 Laser SB3 World Championships

The Publisher
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Sep 1, 2009, 12:46 PM

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For Immediate Release: The Laser SB3 fleet return to the marina after a day of rolling Atlantic swell.

Date: Monday 31st August 2009

Last night Cascais enjoyed the fiesta that recognises the end of the summer, bands played on the huge stage on the beach front and fireworks lit up the sky. The Laser SB3 unfortunately missed the festivities as they headed to bed early in preparation for Day 1 of the 2009 Laser SB3 World Championships.

With the beach freshly combed this morning and the streets hosed and polished, it was business as usual for residents of Cascais, unless you were a member of the 56 Laser SB3 crews gathered at the Clube Naval de Cascais for the first day of racing of the fleet’s 2nd World Championships.

The fleet left the marina in very light winds this morning, and headed to Race Area A where a building northerly breeze awaited them. Throughout the day the wind increased to twenty five knots. After the 2nd Race, the Race Officer chose to move the race course to the east where he was able to complete his final scheduled race of the day although the wind was considered patchy by many of the fleet.

Catching up with the race winners as they came ashore this evening there were some tales of mixed fortunes to share.

Mike Budd and his crew on Zimmer took an early lead on the 1st down wind leg of Race One, and extended their lead each leg there after. Taking a conservative approach to maintaining their lead, they took the bullet in Race 1 with 5 boat lengths to spare. Unfortunately in Race 2, Zimmer lost a 2nd position following a spectacular wipe out. With a disappointing start in Race 3 and a poor first upwind leg in shifty conditions Budd and crew finished 10th and put their lesser performance down to lack of warm clothing and food, “44 calories in the one remaining Alpen cereal bar wasn’t enough to keep 3 hungry sailors happy at the end of a long day” remarked Sam Gardner, mainsheet trimmer onboard Zimmer.

Spirit of Cape Town’s Roger Hudson and helm Taariq Jacobs had a strong start to the day’s racing with their sights set on catching Mike Budd in Race 1 they managed to diminish his lead to just 5 boat lengths by the time they crossed the finishing line. With a promising first race, they went on to win the 2nd race. Sister-ship, City of Cape Town helmed by David Hudson, followed Spirit of Cape Town around the first windward mark but unfortunately suffered a bad bout of luck and Craig Burlton picked his way through the fleet to finish Race 2 in 2nd position and Hudson Senior dropped back to 8th. Unfortunately, the failure of the lower gudgeon bracket on the first windward mark rounding of Race 3 saw Spirit of Cape Town’s luck take a turn for the worse with them being unable to finish the 3rd Race. Hudson and Jacobs remain positive and are grateful that they didn’t suffer the damage during the first race of the day.

By his own admission, Jerry Hill was unable to start well all day, but after picking some good lay lines Hill and his crew onboard 3 Sad Old Blokes managed to work their way to the front of the fleet in the 3rd Race. 3SOB’s 3rd Race was described on the dock by an un-named source as “A true display of sailing skill!”

Overnight leader, Craig Burlton awarded Spirit of Cape Town the “Boat of the Day” Award with their excellent performance in the 1st 2 races of the event, and knows that Spirit of Cape Town team will be one to keep a very close eye on during the Championships. Burlton added, “It was a great start to the World Championships with 3 Races completed in lively conditions in a highly competitive fleet. It’s clearly going to be a tough event to win.”

If Day 1 at the Laser SB3 World Championships in Cascais is anything to go by, it’s going to be an exciting week as the results unfold in the rolling Atlantic swell.

Full Results can be found at:
http://www.cncascais.com/...=302&idRegata=11

Ends

Images of Day 1’s racing can be downloaded for free use from:

2 MB in size https://download.yousendit.com/cmczZXQzTkEyWGZ2Wmc9PQ
100 MB in size https://download.yousendit.com/cmczZXR4ZEt0TWswTVE9PQ

For further information contact:

Katie Ashworth
UK Class Secretary
World Council Secretary
Laser SB3 Class
2009: The Year of the SB3
Skype: katieeashworth

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Sep 1, 2009, 12:47 PM

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Laser SB3 World Championships 2009, Monday 31st August – Friday 4th September, Clube Naval de Cascais.

For Immediate Release: Burlton Maintains Lead by 2 Points on Day 2.
Date: Tuesday 1st September 2009

The forecast for Day 2 of the Laser SB3 Worlds in Cascais allowed the Race Officer the option of using either race area. The decision was made to use Race Area B, to the east of the bay. The wind arrived from the north with a steady 8 to 10 knots for the start of the 1st Race and built throughout the day. By the start of Race 3 the wind had swung 20 degrees to the right and increased to 25 knots.

Following an injury to a member of his crew, past Portuguese Olympic sailor Fernando Bello was unable to compete in the 2nd day of the Championships leaving the competition open for the local Portuguese fleet for the coveted spot of 1st Portuguese boat. At the end of Day 2, Filipe Silva and his crew on board Black Bird/Capital Moura lie 8th overall with a 25 point lead over the 2nd Portuguese boat who lies in 10th position. It’s tough and tight at the top of this Championship.

Having lead over night, Craig Burlton suffered a poor 1st leg during the 1st Race, rounding the windward mark at least three quarters of the way down the fleet. Amazingly, Burlton and crew managed to pick off the fleet and finished the race in 7th position. Ian Sullivan and his crew of Cheeky Monkey’s put in a sterling performance in the first race finishing 2nd. This was a great return to the race course for Sullivan having had to return to the dock on Day 1 with a damaged spreader and torn mainsail.

Strong performances in Race 1 also came from Jerry Hill and Chris Jennings, finishing 3rd and 4th respectively. However, the winner of Race 1 was South African, David Hudson and his Race Ahead crew of Neil Malan, Wadnisile Xayimpi and Jamie Waters with a tremendous lead and awesome down wind boat speed. Mike Budd was OCS in Race 1 and although he discards his 55 point penalty score, he drops from 2nd to 4th overall after 6 races.

Robert Gullan, helming Pieter Heyn’s Sun Microsystems lead Race 2 from a strong start and managed to extend an impressive lead to win with approximately 20 boat lengths to spare. At the end of Day 2, Sun Microsystems lies 3rd overall with a score tally of 7, 7, 5, (17), 1, 4. Their boat speed was certainly impressive and crew work appeared impeccable. The wind built throughout the 2nd race and the leeward mark rounding’s were fruity as gusts of 25 plus knots blew across the course. Early genneker drops benefitted many as other boats struggled to loose the genneker and round the mark.

Race 3 got underway on the 2nd attempt following a well judged general recall. Roger Hudson and Taariq Jacobs had an excellent start and after rounding the windward mark in the top spot, they managed to extend their lead and comfortably won the 3rd race of the day. Race 3 was sailed in 20 to 25 knots of wind and was by far the longest race of the day with the leading boats finishing after 1 hour 50 minutes.

3 Sad Old Blokes managed to hook the mark at the end of their first beat. Correctly Hill did his turn and after loosing at least 20 places, he managed to finish the race in 15th position. A fantastic recovery from an ugly mistake.

Credit must be given at the end of Day 2 to Sarah Allan and her 3 person crew; Charlotte Savage, Michael-John Gifford and David Giles. Sarah has posted some really consistent results and should be recognised for her transition in the SB3 class this season. Allan has moved from bow on board Geoff Carveth’s winning team at the 2008 World Championships to owner and helm this year. Currently Allan’s boat, Sailboatspares.com lies 7th overall.

Craig Burlton, Steve ‘AB’ White and Adam Heeley maintain their lead for a 2nd day, but their lead drops from 4 points to 2. The best overall position improvement today has been achieved by Team Solent / Helly Hansen. Having been caught with a black flag in the first race of Day 1 and loosing a crew member overboard, Guy Jackson pulled out all the stops on Day 2, jumping from 28th overall on Day 1 to 13th overall on Day 2. 6 Races have now been completed and a World Championship Series is now in place. Stay tuned for further developments at the Laser SB3 World Championships on Day 3…

Full Results can be found at:
http://www.cncascais.com/...dos.php?idEvento=302

Ends

The images are supplied for free use.

For further information contact:
Katie Ashworth,
Executive Secretary, Laser SB3 World Council
Mobile: +44 (0)7919 915641
E-mail: katiesb3@hotmail.co.uk

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Sep 2, 2009, 1:18 PM

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Laser SB3 World Championships 2009

Monday 31st August – Friday 4th September

Clube Naval de Cascais.

For Immediate Release: Consolidation is the Name of the Game on Day 3 at the Laser SB3 World Championships.

Date: Wednesday 2nd September 2009

Looking at the results, it’s been another extremely tough day of competitive racing today at the SB3 World Championships in Cascais. Craig Burlton maintains his lead tonight, and has reinstated his margin of 4 points over Roger Hudson and the Spirit of Cape Town crew.

Race winners today included Roger Hudson/Taariq Jacobs, Rob Gullan and David Hudson. Catching up with them as they came ashore, they all had plenty to report after what has clearly been a really challenging day in terms of the competitive fleet and shifting wind.

Roger Hudson (son of David Hudson) is trimming main and calling tactics for Taariq Jacobs on board Spirit of Cape Town. “Race 1 today was full of wind shifts and we spent the whole of the first beat reading them and tacking accordingly.” It was an extremely tactical race that Roger described on the dock this evening. Having rounded the windward mark in first position, they didn’t look back and managed to extend their lead on the first downwind leg and managed to seal a victory with a comfortable lead, “Although we were only too aware that Craig [Burlton] was chasing us and catching up fast; he has an amazing ability to work his way through a fleet of boats without careless errors.” Spirit of Cape Town are aiming for consistent results in the remaining 5 races and will be looking to improve their tactics to maintain their dominance at the top of the fleet.

Race 2 saw Robert Gullan back on form. Having won race 5 in the Championship, Gullan worked his way to the front of the fleet again today. Sun Microsystems have not been a regular feature on the SB3 circuit for some time but with a newly formed team, Pieter Heyn’s boat (a previous Cowes Week winner) is clearly stacked with talent. Ben Ainsworth and Maria Stanley are working the bow, Pieter trimming the main and Robert helming, is proving to be a lightening combination. It would not be unfair to say that this team comes without SB3 pedigree making their overall position of 5th extremely impressive. Having won the pin in the start of the 2nd race they were the first boat to tack onto port and spent the race working the shifts in the breeze upwind and holding onto their position in the downwind legs. Gullan added, “We’ve sailed a conservative Championship, but now we are going to change mode and start attacking the leaders”.

David Hudson (father of Roger Hudson) added a 3, 9, 1 to his results tally today. Race 1 saw a photo finish with Craig Burlton, which Craig won, “We had to ask the race committee for confirmation of our finishing order we had been so close, there can’t have been more than 1 metre in it. It really shows how tight the racing is at the top of the fleet.” Race 2 City of Cape Town started well, but by the first windward mark were well down the pack and did well to recover to 9th position. By all accounts, race 3 was text book perfect and after establishing a reasonable lead, City of Cape Town lead the fleet over the finish line and home. A great day’s racing for David.

Chatting to Craig Burlton as he came ashore, I quizzed him on the spectacularly consistent performance that the team has put in over the first three days of this Championship. “After all these years of sailing, we still can’t start” joked Burlton on the dock, “On a more serious note, today really has been the toughest day’s sailing of my life.” Burlton leads the Championship by 4 points, but with 5 races still to be sailed, there is still a lot of pressure on Gill Race Team who are sailing well as a crew although Craig added that “Adam [Heeley] has been sat on the naughty step this afternoon!” Steve ‘AB’ White has been calling tactics and reading the wind shifts, of which there are plenty, with great skill. All in all Gill Race Team are thoroughly enjoying their Championship; they are well aware that Roger Hudson and Taariq Jacobs are hot on their heels and are yet to post a 1st to the results sheet.

The top Italian boat is helmed by Roberto Caresani and crewed by Pietro Negri and Giulia Conti who recently returns for an extremely successful performance at the 470 World Championships in Denmark. Roberto and Pietro claim that they sail faster when they have a woman onboard, it’s their Italian blood you know! Ferdinand Ziegelmayer who is racing with brother Maximillian and father Sebastien are the only all family crew. They are the leading German boat and are enjoying the tight racing for their first time at an international SB3 event and first time racing together as a crew. Ferdinand added, “Today we were fast, unfortunately too fast at the start of the final race as we over the line! Our crew work is improving and we are delighted with the way that the Laser SB3 is performing in these fantastic conditions.” Currently in 13th position overall, they are hoping to move into the top 10.

The quality of the racing in Cascais is fantastic. The good teams have adapted quickly to the conditions and there are so many boats pushing really hard for the top 1o and higher. The key appears to be working the shits upwind and plenty of gybes downwind to stay in the breeze, which is quite a different approach to stand Solent downwind sailing.

Three more races are scheduled for Thursday when the 2nd discard will come into action. Watch this space!

Full Results can be found at:

http://www.cncascais.com/...dos.php?idEvento=302

Ends

Images for Day 3 are attached, please credit Jaoa Ferrand JFF.

Additional images for Day 2 can be found at the following link. These images are for free use and should be credited to Joao Ferrand JFF.

(1.5Mb)
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/733859163/564af7a8e0d21347c5be3717029ad29b

(75Mb)
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/733859619/48f8de4e8b96eeb7c52b3348bf1632bf

For further information contact:

Katie Ashworth,
Executive Secretary, Laser SB3 World Council
Mobile: +44 (0)7919 915641
E-mail: katiesb3@hotmail.co.uk

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Sep 3, 2009, 1:14 PM

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For Immediate Release: Laser SB3 World Championships Day 4
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009

For Immediate Release: Day 4 - A Spectacle
Date: Thursday 3rd September 2009

The excitement was visible this morning when the race committee raised the flag signalling to the fleet that they would be sailing on Race Course A today. With a forecast promising a building breeze, the fleet head out of the marina with big grins onboard. Today was going to be exciting, very exciting for the competitors.

With a constant 14 knots at the start of race 1, the fleet got away on the Race Committee’s first attempt, to tackle the beat and the rolling waves. Those that started at the Committee Boat end of the line benefitted and the first windward mark rounding order was In Your Pocket (Andrew Oddie), Xcellent (John Pollard) and Spirit of Cape Town (Taariq Jacobs/Roger Hudson). Craig Burlton rounded in 4th position but duly took a penalty turn after the spreader mark which cost him considerably and his finishing position of 8th has now been discarded. The downwind leg produced some of the most fantastic surfing conditions the fleet has ever experienced in the awesome rolling Atlantic swell, well……..that is until races 2 and 3!

David Hudson and the City of Cape Town crew took the bullet in the 1st race of the day. According to David, they had a fantastic start and completed a tidy race with fantastic pace. “We have a great tactician on board in Wandisile Xayimpi (known to the fleet as Waddie), his brain seems to work in the same was a GPS set! He made some fantastic lay-line calls for us today,” praised David. Unfortunately Hudson Senior’s luck was about to change. With a collision at the start of race 2 they finished in 14th position but their luck deteriorated further still in race 3.

Following the first attempt to start the 3rd race today the fleet were recalled and the black flag was hoisted for the 2nd attempt. City of Cape Town reached the top mark to discover they had been called over and headed for home. “We were lining up for a great start in the 3rd race, but following a crash with another competitor we thought we had been pushed over the line. This was a really disappointing end to our day as we had to take action to avoid loosing our rig.”

The wind had increased to 18 knots at the start of this race and was heading right in direction too. Again in race 2 the Committee Boat end of the start line was favoured with the pin end all but deserted. The fleet rocketed off the start line and those that took the right hand side of the course certainly benefitted.

By the windward mark, the wind had increased to 22 knots and the fleet was lead by Mike Budd, with Burlton in 4th position. A few boats at the rear of the fleet suffered on their genneker hoists and the Portuguese Women’s Sailing Team on Clube Millenium BCP tore their kite to shreds but still managed to complete the race. Sat in a media boat in the middle of the race course, approximately a fifth of the way down the run provided front row seats to some of the most spectacular sailing I have personally ever seen, with crews in the foot straps and white water foaming in all directions, it was quite a spectacle! Race 2 saw Burlton achieve his first bullet of the regatta. At last!

Race 3 got away on the second attempt and following a great start, John Pollard on board Xcellent lead the fleet around the course. Catching up with John and his crew of Rob Smith and Martin Schwartz over a beer at the end of the day, they filled me in on their race. “We have finally got into the groove with this boat,” commented Pollard with a broad beaming smile on his face, “we are delighted to have posted a first after getting around the course in one piece after a great start!” Rob Smith made an excellent job of tactics in the 3rd race. “Cascais is a stunning venue for sailing, the long uphill legs are well worth it for the epic downwind surfing, the waves are incredible!”

The general feeling amongst the fleet this evening is that Race Course A is a better race track, with more stable wind and the fantastic swell, the right hand side of the course paid all day coupled with committee boat starts. The fleet have returned ashore exhausted but happy after a spectacular day of racing in a spectacular venue.

“It amazing that there are not more major sailing events held in Cascais, it is one of the best venues in the world,” explained Andy Rice on the dock, “Today scores a 9 out of 10 and could only be bettered for us on board In Your Pocket if we’d had 3 bullets, then it really would have been a 10 out of 10!”

It really doesn’t get much better than this! Racing concludes tomorrow with 2 final races. There are still only 2 points giving Burlton his lead for a 4th night, can he hang onto the gap on the final day….

Full Results can be found at:
http://www.cncascais.com/...dos.php?idEvento=302

Ends

Images for Day 4 are attached, please credit Richard Langdon, Ocean Images.

For further information contact:
Katie Ashworth,
Executive Secretary, Laser SB3 World Council
Mobile: +44 (0)7919 915641
E-mail: katiesb3@hotmail.co.uk

Notes to the Editor

The 2009 Laser SB3 World Championships is generously supported by Turismo de Portugal Estoril and Saúdecuf.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Tony Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. The boat is a strict one design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a car.

For more information visit www.lasersb3.com and www.laserperformance.com

Katie Ashworth
UK Class Secretary
World Council Secretary
Laser SB3 Class
2009: The Year of the SB3
Skype: katieeashworth

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Sep 4, 2009, 12:22 PM

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Four videos here: http://www.offshorerules.com/...wArticle.aspx?id=335

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Sep 4, 2009, 1:52 PM

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Laser SB3 World Championships 2009

Monday 31st August – Friday 4th September

Clube Naval de Cascais.

For Immediate Release: 1st GBR, 2nd RSA, 3rd RSA

Date: Friday 4th September 2009

The normal dockside banter was missing this morning in Cascais on the final day of the Laser SB3 World Championships. The lack of chit chat clearly displayed a degree of focus and preparation amongst the crews in anticipation of the final day of racing.

The Race Committee selected race course B for the final 2 races of the Championships, perhaps to the disappointment of some the fleet following yesterdays epic day on race course A. Course B lacks course A’s rolling swell and has, in previous days provided patchy wind conditions.

The fleet lined up for the 1st start of the day but were promptly recalled with at least 20 boats over the start line with 15 seconds to the gun. The black flag was raised for the 2nd attempt and the desired effect achieved with a clear start and no disqualifications in 14 knots of breeze.

Those starting at the pin end of the line benefitted immediately as the wind flicked left just before the start. Those that were caught in the cluster at the committee boat suffered.

Pelican Racing had the best start of their Championship and remained with the leading pack at the windward mark. Mike Budd rounded the top of the course in 1st position followed by John Pollard and Marshall King. The right hand side of the downwind leg benefitted and those that gybed early lost out. By the leeward mark Budd, Pollard and King had extended their lead and set off for the re-positioned windward mark at pace. Again, Budd lead the charge and eventually won the race with a credible lead having stood on when Pollard and King gybed for the final downwind mark. Between these three pack leaders, there was a 90 second gap between the next boats arriving at the mark.

After the end of race 1, the race committee promptly called the fleet back to the line and raised the preparatory signal to start the final race of the 2009 Laser SB3 World Championships. The wind had increased to a fresh 18 knots by this point and Robert Gullan won the start at the pin end onboard Sun Microsystems.

As the fleet approached the windward mark, there was no sign of Burlton. Was this going to be Jacobs and Hudson’s and the crew on Spirit of Cape Town’s moment to attack for the Championship title?

David Cummins onboard Rumbleflurg lead to the windward mark with David Hudson hot on his heels. Sarah Allan rounded in 3rd position and Guy Jackson in 4th. Burlton rounded way down the fleet in at least 25th position and had his work cut out to pick off the fleet and ensure the Jacobs/Hudson duo didn’t extend their lead any further and put an end to Gill Race Team’s World Championship dream.

At the final windward mark, Jacobs and Hudson were the only boat to gybe to the left hand side of the course and set off for the leeward gate alone. A brave decision as Burlton was in hot pursuit. From the middle of the race course, it was had to judge if Burlton had recovered enough. An anxious time for all.

David Hudson took the final bullet of the Championship, with David Cummins in 2nd and Sarah Allan in 3rd. Where would Spirit of Cape Town finish? Had Gill Race Team recovered enough?

Gill Race Team crossed the line in 13th position, unlucky for some, but they were well aware that they had just won the World Championships! Clenched fists were punched into the air. A clearly emotional, and utterly exhausted Burlton staggered onto the dock this evening as the new World Champion of the Laser SB3 Class. Gill Race Team gave a consistently excellent performance and are worthy winners. Congratulations Craig, AB and Adam.

Full Results can be found at:
http://www.cncascais.com/regatas_resultados.php?idEvento=302
Ends

For further information contact:
Katie Ashworth,
Executive Secretary, Laser SB3 World Council
Mobile: +44 (0)7919 915641
E-mail: katiesb3@hotmail.co.uk

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Sep 5, 2009, 4:12 AM

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Reports and video coverage from final two days in Cascais here:

http://www.offshorerules.com/articles/showArticle.aspx?id=333
http://www.offshorerules.com/...wArticle.aspx?id=334
http://www.offshorerules.com/...wArticle.aspx?id=335
http://www.offshorerules.com/...wArticle.aspx?id=336

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