Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico: The final two races were completed today at the 2022 ILCA 7 Masters World Championship in Riviera Nayarit, where Australia’s Brett Beyer secured gold ahead of Great Britain’s Mark Lyttle in the Grand Masters fleet – making it his 14th ILCA 7 Masters Worlds title.
With eight wins (out of 12 races), Beyer beat second place by 29 points (drops included). Canada’s Andrew Roy slid into third to claim bronze ahead of former Olympic gold medallist Jose Maria Van Der Ploeg. Australia’s Steve Gunther moved back two positions into seventh.
The competitors left shore under overcast skies and light winds. The clouds kept the thermal sea breeze from fully developing, and both races were held in six–eight knots of wind. There were no recalls for any fleets today, and only two sailors were caught over early under the ‘U Flag’. In the first race, the wind shifted to the left to about 230 degrees, and in the second race, the race committee reset the course to 245 degrees to accommodate a shift back to the right.
In the Apprentice fleet, Argentinian Andres Heredia took home gold, Charles Baillie Strong of Luxembourg claimed silver, and Adil Khalid of the United Arab Emirates took bronze. In the Masters fleet, Greece’s Adonis Bourgiouris locked in first place after leading the fleet all week, ahead of American Ernesto Rodriguez in second overall, and Great Britain’s Orlando Gledhill in third. Australia’s Nick Alexander placed eighth, followed by Rod Barnes (ninth).
In the Great Grand Masters fleet, Great Britain’s Tim Law had enough of a lead that he did not need to sail the final race to win gold. German Wolfgang Gerz secured the silver medal and American Peter Vessella won bronze. Australia’s Jeff Loosemore moved up one position to claim sixth place.
After a successful event and all 12 races sailed, the awards presentation is taking place this evening at the Paradise Village Resort. The excitement has already started for next year’s ILCA Masters Worlds to be held in Pattaya, Thailand.
For full results, see here: sailwave.com/results/vyc/ILCA7Masters2022.htm
Event website: 2022ilca7masters.ilca-worlds.org
