After weeks of delays due to excessive wind and sea conditions, the Bermuda Laser Class Association was finally able to complete the 2009 HWP National Championships this past weekend hosted by the Spanish Point Boat Club. The delays had forced both the Laser Radial and Laser Standard rig championships to be sailed on a single day rather than the planned two day regattas originally scheduled before Christmas.
On Saturday, the Laser Radial class sailed their championship in winds blowing west to north westerly ranging from 8 - 15 knots and very cool conditions. 13 skippers registered in what Race Chairman Malcolm Kirkland called "a generational battle", alluding to the wide age range of the participants. There was an impressive 51 year age difference between veteran Roger Mello (66) and the youngest competitor Kelsey Durham (15).
After the 6 race series, 18 year old Roger Williams College sailor Cameron Pimentel was tied with Malcolm Smith, with Smith crowned National Champion via a tie breaker. Olympian Sarah Lane Adderley sailed consistently to take 3rd place followed by collegiate sailor William Hutchings in 4th and Stephen Dickinson in 5th place.
On Sunday, many of the same sailors braved more cool temperatures and returned to the Great Sound with Laser Standard rigs to determine that class' National Champion. The day brought lighter, shiftier winds and a number of light rain squalls. After 6 races former Sunfish World Champion Malcolm Smith prevailed followed by Tufts University sailor William Hutchings. Rockal Evans placed third and Kelsey Durham and Roger Mello were 4th and 5th.
The racing this weekend not only crowned the two HWP Laser Class National Champions but also will be used as qualifiers for the Laser Class World Championships and ISAF Youth Worlds.
Laser Radial Results
1. Malcolm Smith - 10pt
2. Cameron Pimentel - 10pt
3. Sarah Lane Adderley - 12pt
4. Wiliam Hutchings - 17pt
5. Stevie Dickinson - 25pt
6. Jason Saints - 29 pt
7. Jordan Saints - 34pt
8. Brett wright - 40pt
9. Kelsey Durham - 42pt
10. Ryan Saraiva - 44pt
11. Catalina Sposato - 49pt
12. Roger Mello - 53pt
13. Chris Sposato - 64pt
Laser Standard Rig Results
1. Malcolm Smith - 5pt
2. William Hutchings - 10pt
3. Rockal Evans - 12pt
4. Kelsey Evans - 18pt
5. Roger Mello - 25pt
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