Yachting: Laser Europa Cup-Poor wind condition slows Julie and Govinden |20 March 2012

Both Julie and Govinden are based in Hyères, France where they are preparing for the World Laser Standard Seniors Championship which will take place from May 4-10 at the German shore side of the East Sea at Boltenhagen.

They will be attempting to secure a spot at the 2012 Olympics Games which will be held in London from August 27 to September 12.

The three-day Laser Europe Cup regatta held from March 16-18 in Koper, attracted 204 sailors from 15 countries and was hosted by the 'Jadro Koper' Yacht Club.

The weather conspired against the hosts, and despite the goodwill, they did not get the opportunity to stage a spectacle as they wished.

Some light breezes on Friday allowed the race committee to conclude three races for the Laser Standard fleet and one for the Radial and 4.7 classes.

Saturday was marked only by hours of waiting for decent conditions and on Sunday the weather literally played games with the organisers’ patience. Morning southerly winds initially promised superior performance when suddenly, a fog so thick that the sailors were no longer able to see the marks, descended over the bay and the race was suspended. This was followed by several hours of waiting and the last attempts to start in the afternoon, when the sky cleared again. But with the fog, also the wind was gone and members of the race committee could do no more.

Julie concluded the regatta in ninth place overall with 44.0 points after finishing 11th in the first race and securing 31st and 2nd spots in the second and third races respectively.

Govinden, on the other hand, finished 21st overall after reaching the finish line in 18th position in the first race and securing the 30th and 15th spots in the two other races.

The Laser Radial class was won by Italian Alessandro Marega who finished with 15.0 points after two first-place finishes and a 13th position.

R. D.