Laser World Championship Day 2 report and images

2:02 AM Sat 22 Aug 2009 GMT

'Laser Worlds day 2' Matias Capizzano &copy

Day two of the Laser World Championships proved more exercise for volunteers hauling race marks than for the athletes. Fog hanging over the outer reaches of St. Margaret's Bay had the race committee making numerous course changes in an effort to find clear water.

Only one race was completed, on a day the Race Committee hoped to get three races in. Two fleets managed to get in a quick race, but the third fleet proved anxious. There were numerous general recalls for sailors crossing the line early, more than 20 sailors black flagged (which took them out of the race) and still it took an hour and a half to get the fleet off, which prevented further starts.

After three race, Tonci Stipanovic of Croatia remains in the lead, American Clayton Johnson in second, Nick Thompson of Great Briton in third, Pavlos Kontikes of Cyprus has moved to fourth and Olympic gold medalist Paul Goodison of Great Briton in fifth. Bernard Luttmer of Canada is in 18th spot after three races. Team mate David Wright is in 20th and Christopher Dold in 25th.

While the 169 athletes competing in the 2009 Nautel Laser World Championships were having a rough day on the water, on land, organizers were preparing a contingency plan for Hurricane Bill. It's currently forecast to brush Nova Scotia on Sunday. Racing will continue as planned on Saturday, but if the hurricane continues on its current track, races will be cancelled on Sunday.

'After racing on Saturday, the athletes will help volunteers move the Laser hulls into the main clubhouse and race management centre,' says event co-chair Rod Millar. 'Masts and rigging will be lashed down and secured in protected areas, as will the dollies used to wheel the boats around.' 'The athletes will bring their sails and foils [centerboards and rudders] to their residences so they don't need to be stored on site.' Other equipment and tents used for the championship will be broken down and stored. 'The current plan is to get back on the water Monday,' says Millar. 'It's definitely a disruption to the Laser Worlds, but we're sailors, this happens.'