Laser 4.7 World Championships - Australians near the top

6:06 AM Fri 29 Jul 2011 GMT

'Laser 4.7 Worlds. Photo: Courtesy Peter Campbell' Peter Campbell &copy Click Here to view large photo

Ben Walkemeyer from Western Australia and Milly Bennett from New South Wales turned in excellent performances in the opening day of racing for Laser 4.7 world championships on San Francisco Bay.

Ben is fifth overall in the boys championship, placing seventh and second in today's opening heats, only one point out of third place. Milly is eighth overall with placings of 19-8.

Tasmanian Sophie Chesterman is 20th overall in the girls fleet, improving on her 37th placing in heat one with a 19th in race two. Another Tasmanian, Dylan Gore is equal 26th, today placing 20-10.

A total of 165 teenage sailors from around the world are contesting the world championships, conducted by the famous St Francis Yacht Club on San Francisco bay, noted for its strong winds, big waves and fog.

European sailors dominated the top positions in both the girls championship, sailing as one fleet, and in the boys championship with the fleet split in two.

Kim Pletikos from Slovinia leading the girls after a 1-3 results. Kim finished fourth in the recent European championships. David Pain from Great Britain heads the boys standings a 2-1 score.

Race officials were strict right from the start of the regatta, with 11 girls black flagged in heat two, including Tasmanian Emma Barton. Among the boys ruled ocs in heat one was Tasmanian Nelson Brown. He finished 43rd in heat two to be 104th overall.

Other Australian standings in the boys championship are: Max Vos (NSW) 35th (15-19), Nicholas Connor (NSW) 42nd (9-33), Kailas Johnson (Tas) 46th (29-18) and Jock Calvert (Tas) 57th (28-30).

Other Australian standings in the girls championship are: Anna Vaughan (Tas) 37th (42-30) and Emma Barton (Tas) 45th (27-bfd).

Laser 4.7 Worlds. Photo: Courtesy Peter Campbell - Peter Campbell &copy Click Here to view large photo

by Peter Campbell
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