Eleven Australian competitors commenced competition in the Mens and Youths Laser Radial World Championships in Castle Bay, Karatsu, with two men, three female youth and seven male youth.
Australia`s Ashley Stoddard dominated the opening day of the female youths regatta with a commanding 1st and 2nd. Ashley having finished 6th in the ISAF youth worlds championships in Brazil last month revelled in the 20 knots plus conditions in the Bay.
Also revelling in the conditions was WA`s Ki-raphael Sulkowski who finished 6th and 3rd. Ki who standards 196cm tall used his height to great advantage in the Fremantle like conditions. Ki said “I didn`t get great starts but I worked the centre of the course which seemed to work for me today in these strong conditions”.
Also doing well in the strong conditions were the Tasmanian duo of Christopher Jones and Elliott Noye with a 4th and 13th and 8th and 11th respectively. Strong wind conditions are expected for the 2nd day of competition which will again test competitors.
– From Neil Noye in Japan.
