News about Open Laser Championships 1998
The National Laser Sailing Championships were held in uncommonly light conditions at Sawadi last weekend, drawing Oman’s top sailors in this Olympic class to the Sawadi Forum Resort for a closely fought competition series. The 6 races were sailed over two days, with former national champion Erik Dalhuijsen clearly in control on the first day. Light winds from varying directions made it a challenge for race officer Richard Martin to adapt the lay of the course before the next wind-shift, and several races were sailed without a clear beat to windward. Andre Sombekke showed good form in the first race, and narrowly beat Erik to the line. The other two races saw Erik in the lead, followed by Andre and Neil Dunkley respectively. Quick windshifts, very light winds and some serious heat demanded the utmost of the sailors in concentration and stamina, with plenty of room for sailing technique but not much for tactics once the usual start-line clashes were cleared. The second day gave a more stable wind speed and direction for all three races of the day, with Neil showing his superiority in tacks and tactics, though Erik was never more than a few boat lengths away. The windward leg under influence of counter acting wind bends from coast and islands turned out to be the decision maker, and making good use of these effects proved crucial. Third places were taken by Andre Sombekke, and by two Royal Navy sailors Said Ibrahim Al-Baloshi and Rashid Khalfan who showed that old boats in capable hands can still make good speed. As an indication of the hard-fought battle, the difference between overall first (Neil) and second (Erik) was only ¼ point. Neil Dunkley, now the national champion, said: “I’ve been trying to win this cup (..intermittently..) since 1983, and am proud to have finally made it in this exciting battle. I fully expect that next year, if the RNO manages to get better quality boats, Rashid and Said will be there in the top.” The successful event was organised by the Oman
Laser Association in cooperation and under sponsorship of Sawadi Forum
Resort who proudly offered usage of their newly enhanced excellent shoreside
facilities, including pontoon, shades and walkway. This event has opened
the way for giving Oman a place on the international sailing map.
|