Record Participation for 2014 Laser Masters’ World Championships

The largest Laser world championship in history will be taking place on the south coast of France when 515 sailors, representing 36 different countries, compete on October 5-11 at the 2014 Audi Laser Masters’ World Championships.

Two separate race courses will be set up to handle the large number of competitors, with sailors competing in several age categories and different rig types. The split between the Standard Laser and the Laser Radial is almost exactly half and the largest group will be the Laser Standard Master (age 45-54) with 120 sailors registered. The top returning sailor in that division is Terry Scutcher, who finished 2nd in Oman in 2013.

Women compete directly with men in the championships, and Vanessa Dudley of Australia is the top returning female sailor who won the 2013 Radial Grand Master Division outright, edging out Bruce Martinson of the USA by 1 point. Both will be making the trip to France.

Peter Seidenberg of the United States and Denis O’Sullivan of Ireland have participated in every Laser Masters World Championship except one, and Seidenberg is the favorite to sail away with another title in his group. The oldest sailor on the line will be Claude Tigier of France at 79.

Age Divisions
35 to 44: Laser Standard Apprentice or Laser Radial Apprentice
45 to 54: Laser Standard Master or Laser Radial Master
55 to 64: Laser Standard Grand Master or Laser Radial Grand Master
65 or older: Laser Standard Great Grand Master or Laser Radial Great Grand Master
35 or older: Laser 4.7

Website: http://lasermasters.coych.org