| FORTALEZA, BRAZIL-(8-12-2005) American Paige Railey is very close to conquering the first world championship of the Laser Radial Olympic Era. With a third and a fifth place standing this Thursday, she enters the last day of competition 17 points ahead of runner-up Anna Tunnicliffe, also from the United States. The Radial Women rules sets a discard of the two worst results from each sailor. Because of that, Paige can finish this Friday´s first race down to the nineth position that still wins the trophy, even if Ana gets first place on both races.
Paige, who just turned 18, highlights the challenge to win against former world champions from Laser and other classes, and dreams with a victory to crown her title. ‘’I have my fingers crossed for a good day at sea, and hope to celebrate after all with a first place’’, says her, who doesn´t know so far how it feels to win a race in Fortaleza e holds the lead based on points average. French Sophie de Turckheim is third, german Petra Niemann is fourth and current world champions, australian Krystal Weir comes in fifth.
Brazilian Eduardo Couto can became part of his country history this Friday. With a ten point advantage to american Brad Funk, he can bring the first Radial Open world title to Brazil. To do that on the first race, he has two options: if Brad wins, he needs to be second; in any other position, its necessary only to finish ahead of the american. Blair Mclay, from New Zealand, is third and brazilian Andreas Perdicaris is fourth. Fifth place goes to Argentina with Martin Jenkins.
Besides Brad´s shadow, Eduardo has other thing to concern him at the race. He has already been punished twice by the arbitrage and if gets a third yellow flag form the commissioners will be excluded. ‘’I´m trying not to work with math. My strategy resumes to stay calm and try to beat my opponent’’, says he. Brazil gets the lead at the silver fleet too, with Rafael Bartijotto, as german Christiane de Nijs does the same at Radial Women.
The Laser Worlds 2005 includes four world championships: Senior (September 19th to 28th), Master (September 30th to October 8th), Radial Open & Women (December 3rd to 9th) and Radial Youth (December 10th to 17th). The events are organized by the International Laser Class Association, Brazilian Laser Class Association, Ceara State Sailing Federation, Brazilian Sailing Federation and Yacht Club of Fortaleza. The sponsors are: Ceara State Government, thru the Sports and Youth Bureau, Marina Park Hotel and Hamburg Süd. The event also has the support of the brazilian navy, Banco do Nordeste do Brasil, Mayor of Fortaleza, Unilink, Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club and Pirata Bar.
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