Tom Slingsby (AUS) Takes A Dip After His 2011 Triumph
©Richard Langdon / Perth 2011
World Laser Standard Senior Championship
Boltenhagen, Germany
A total of 180 sailors have registered for participation in the Laser Standard Men's event from 4-10 May 2012 in Boltenhagen, Germany.
Two days before the official start of the Standard Men's regatta series the Race Village has already filled up with participants from all over the world. Registration at the race office is in full swing and the measurement team is working to capacity.
Sailors from 61 nations are taking part. For 27 of them this World Championship is the last chance to secure a ticket to the Olympic Games in Weymouth. Keerati Bualong from Thailand for example is hoping to qualify his country as well as himself for the Games. Other countries like Poland and Sweden have already secured the Olympic ticket but have not yet decided which sailor will compete in London, so they will be fighting it out on the water for the last points in their national qualification. At the Radial Women's event 9 sailors from 23 countries still have the chance to qualify for a national ticket to the 2012 Olympics.
After missing out on gold at the Semaine Olympique Francaise due to a broken mast in the Medal Race, 2011 Laser World Champion Tom Slingsby (AUS) is looking forward to the challenge of heading into the event having won the last two World Championship titles.
"I don't mind being the defending champion, I'm used to a lot of pressure before big events,"said Slingsby. "No one puts more pressure on me than I do on myself so if I can reach my expectations, I'll have no problems reaching others.
"It would be a great confidence boost leading into London but I'm not holding onto that," said Slingsby. "I know it would be great to win here but I'm going into the Olympics confident no matter what."
Other big names sailing in Germany include Beijing 2008 Laser gold medallist Paul Goodison (GBR), Trofeo S.A.R. Princess Sofia MAPFRE winner Simon Groteluschen (GER) and Semaine Olympique Francaise gold medallist Philipp Buhl (GER).
Weather conditions for the event are looking good with steady winds from the North East, sunshine and moderate temperatures. A practice race will be sailed on Thursday 3 May, followed by the start of fleet racing proper on 4 May.
Laser Worlds Entry List
Laser Worlds Website
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