2018 Laser Master World Championships (Dublin, Ireland)

By Doug

On a rare day that was not windy.

At the 2018 Laser Master Worlds, we met again to do battle. My GGM fleet is one of the smallest with just 16 competitors but between them they have won 22 world championships in 4 different classes.

I trained hard for this Worlds, spending a total of 157 hours on the water and more than 7 hours on my hiking bench. The best part of my training was attending Brett Beyer’s downwind clinic at the ISA, and that part paid big dividends.

But most of the other training was on my own on a small Dallas lake, and this is no longer a winning combination. The best in my fleet were race-hardened, had better upwind speed, and either lived in the conditions that we sailed in or were basically full-time sailors. In my opinion, that’s what it will take to win a Master Worlds from now on.

The decision to attend Brett’s pre-worlds clinic was a good one as it helped get a feeling for practicing with other good sailors, but the conditions for the actual Worlds were very different.

Day 1: The forecast was 15-25, but it maxed out over 30. Like all of the days that followed, the temperatures rarely got to 60F (15C).

Race 1: Pam was on the finishing boat and when she was leaving the harbor it was gusting up to 25. Once on the course, the race committee apparently considered sending us in. The GGMs were the last to start and I missed the shift and was at the wrong boat end and not the pin. Ouch. Tried to play shifts to catch up but left paid. Wolfgang Gerz (GER) was leading at the first mark but could not quite round it (current?) and stalled out, losing several places. Mark Bethwaite (AUS) took the lead while I rounded 8^th. We’re sailing the inner trapezoid and are close to shore, so it was playing survival vs. playing the small waves. I chose the former. The positions did not change until the second run when the gusts started to hit 30. At the bottom of the second run I jibed, lost control and flipped. Finished 8^th. Mark has been training for several months in Europe and won in his usual impressive style.

Race 2: Pin favored and a good start there and surprisingly I rolled Mark as we went left. It was close at the first mark with Wolfgang again leading. Rounded 3^rd. On the run, we were hit by a monster puff and I dared not bear off but just tried to stay upright. Ended 200 meters off the rhumb line which cost several places as others were better at managing the hard, cold breeze. At the bottom mark, Wolfgang had a good lead going left and I again tried to play the shifts to move up. On one tack my boat stalled because of really tight vang and I went into irons. I jumped into the water to swim the boat around onto port but it slowly tipped on top of me. Lost more places (note to self – in irons, let the vang off). On the top reach and run things for me were survival conditions, and several of the leaders tipped on the run (Mark once and Wolfgang four times). Pam was watching from the finish boat taking videos and lots of people were tipping just trying cross the line. I finished a poor 9^th just behind Mark. On the way in getting to the ramp was challenging with the offshore breeze and I tipped two more times in the harbor. It was cold and Mark said that he was close to being hypothermic. Many seasoned sailors commented that this was the toughest conditions they had sailed in. And there was lots more wind in the forecast.

Day 2: The temperature remained in the 50’s and the wind built from the forecasted 15 to one gust that was recorded at 35. My GGM fleet was on the water for 5 hours.

Race 3: Being close to shore, there were some pretty big shifts and the wind went right just before the start, so I squeezed between Mark and the committee boat to get away cleanly. Played a few shifts but had problems tacking with the really tight vang (note to  self, let the vang off before tacking in a gust). The GMs were on the same course and we had to thread through the 62 boats coming down the run and many were out of control, so it was crazy. My speed was about the same as Mark with him footing and me pointing a little higher in the waves. Rounded in 5^th with Wolfgang again leading. The positions were unchanged until the bottom of the second run. Where we rounded in a hard gust and I did not have time to get set up with tighter controls for the bottom reach. It was a screamer and being way over powered allowed John Dawson-Edwards (CAN) and Alan Keen (RSA) to pass below me, so I finished 7^th just behind Mark, John and Alan. Being better prepared could have saved me 3 points.

Race 4: It was now very pin favored so I started 3 up with Wolfgang and Mark below. There was no line sight because the open North Sea and clouds were all gray, so it was one of those hope-I-was-not-over starts. We went left until Wolfgang below said “let’s tack” so the three of us led the fleet on a long port tack to the mark where Mark, Wolfgang, and I rounded in a tight group. On the run, Wolfgang caught a few more waves and rounded in the lead. The wind was still left so it was a long port tack to the second windward mark. Our positions were unchanged. The top reach was another screamer and I buried to bow to fill up the cockpit which allowed Michael Hicks (GBR) to catch up. On the run, he was still gaining and went left so, trying something different, I jibed to sail by the lee. Our speed was very similar and he got me on mark room at the bottom of the run. I tried to pass but he defended well, so it was Wolfgang, Mark, Michael, and then me at the finish.

Day 3: Groundhog day with the same conditions – temperatures trying to reach 60F (15C), gusts in the 30’s, and Wolfgang wining 2 more races

Race 5: The leaders chose to start at the boat but I was sure that the pin was favored so I headed there. It was strange to start so far away from the best sailors in our fleet. Started at the pin and waited for the 2 on my hip to tack before tacking onto a big lift. Saw the rest of the fleet in the window of my sail… life is good so far. We weaved through the other fleet coming down on a run and I rounded a close second behind Charles Campion (GBR). Using the technique I learned at Brett’s downwind clinic, I passed him to take the lead, but the series leader Wolfgang pulled even with me (he too was at the downwind clinic). He took the right gate and I took the left. Playing the shifts, I crossed Wolfgang and he tracked to cover me on starboard. His speed was better and at the mark, Wolfgang, Charles, and Michael Hicks (GBR) were ahead at the top of the second beat. We stayed even on the top reach and I used Brett’s downwind techniques on the final run to pass Michael to finish 3^rd, my best race of the event.

Race 6: Pin favored this time with the entire fleet, started 5 up with Mark and Wolfgang at the pin. I seemed to be out of phase compared with others and rounded 7^th. On the run, had really good speed and passed both Alan and Mark. At the bottom of the run with big waves, people were taking the right gate to avoid jibing. Mark was close behind and inside, so I called “you have room” and prepared to round quite wide. But there was no Mark, just a loud sailing term that starts with the letter “f” (later learned that he buried the bow, filled with water, and had an unplanned jibe). On the long starboard tack to the left, I tried something that Brett suggested – hard vang and footing through the waves but for me it did not work and I could not point. At the top mark, was even with Alan and he led at the end of the top reach. Still in 6^th. On the second run, things got hairy – in one gust, a wave hit me and I was knocked out of the boat. With my toes still in the hiking strap, I was dragged in the water trying to get back into the boat. Neither bearing off to get speed nor pulling in the mainsheet to head up gave me enough pressure on the centerboard to get in. After several gulps of sea water and what seemed like about a minute, I was able to get going again. Exhausted and in second to last, I took it easy to the finish. Still in 8^th place overall, dragging my butt cost me 3 points and 2 places in the standings.

Day 4: A little sunnier and the top gust was just 30.

Race 7: With two minutes to go, I pulled really hard on the downhaul and… it broke. It took 5 minutes to fix so I got to watch this race.

Race 8: Was pin favored with Mark, Wolfgang, and me starting there. After a few minutes, Jorge Abreu (DOM) started to roll me, so I tacked. The long port tack took us close to the mark and the boats that went left rounded ahead, so I as in 7^th. On the run, I pulled even with Mark who took the left gate while I took the right. Half way up the second beat, he would have crossed me but instead tacked onto port in front. We were slamming into the waves and Mark, according to Brett, is one of the best at steering through them. So I watched as he pulled about 8 boat lengths ahead. At the starboard tack layline, he tacked and I followed. And then something happened that neither of us could later figure out – I out pointed him so that he had to put in two additional tacks to round just behind me. We stayed even on the top reach and then he tried to pass on the run by going to windward of me and then carving back to the right. Using some of the techniques learned from Brett, I was able to hold him off on the run and then bottom reach. Finished 5^th but back on shore learned that I was over the line at the start and was scored UFD. Normally I’d be disappointed with a DNC and UFD for the day, but I’m not in the running and am pleased with my new downwind speed that Brett taught me.

Day 5: Rain and then clearing, top gust 28

Race 9: Started close to the pin, went left, and hit the first shift. As with most races, the fleet stayed together. I played some shifts and took the lead on the port tack layline with a tight group rounding just behind. On the run, Wolfgang pulled even and was heading straight for the downwind gate. Looking upwind, there was pressure on the left and the tight group was going to miss it, so I moved downwind of the pressure and Mark followed. But as we learned several times, some of the pressure never comes and we both lost 7 places!! Note to self – stay with the leaders! We tried to catch them but they had too much speed in these conditions.

Race 10: Started again close to the pin and started to get rolled, so tacked. Worked the middle of the course and got even with the front row. But being tired with the really tight vang, my life jacket caught on the boom and I tipped again. Once up again, was 50 meters behind the front row that had good speed and stayed in phase, so was unable to catch them. Finished 10.

Day 6: Very light conditions from the south and not offshore. Lots of current.

Race 11: The fleet started at the committee boat, tacked, and went right. I footed under Mark to take the lead and then he tacked onto starboard. The fleet followed and Mark had a huge lead as we fought the current in a dying breeze before the race was abandoned.

There was a long delay and the current was taking us from the race area back to the harbor where we would have to de-rig, return our charger boats, have them inspected, and then prepare for the closing ceremonies. As the 3:00 deadline approached, there was one more fleet before us and it got away a few minutes before the deadline, so most of us decided to keep heading back to the harbor. We later learned that our fleet had in fact started after 3:00 with just 5 boats on the line. Mark, Wolfgang, and I were not one of them.

With a breakdown, UFD, and DNS, this was not one of my best Worlds, but there was lots to learn from. What worked:

• Attending Brett’s downwind and pre-worlds clinics really helped with downwind speed and race planning.
• Pam had been well-prepared for the cold weather.
• The equipment, help launching, and event management were all excellent.
• My conditioning was good, that was not the problem.

Areas for improvement:

• Practicing a few hours each week on Dallas lakes will no longer work. This may sound obvious, but the best practice is in the conditions of the event. Those that did had the best finishes in our fleet.
• My upwind speed use to be good, but needs a lot more work.
• Relying on the compass rather than sticking with the fleet was a mistake. I also think that it’s time to switch to one of the new digital compasses.

Laser Master Worlds de-brief

Brett Beyer just won his 13th Laser Master Worlds and would like to share how he did it and what he learned. For those who saw how dominant Brett was, the following from Brett will be of interest...

I am looking at doing the Skype de-brief next Tuesday 9th October, 6am Sydney time. Cost will be A$120pp and last approx 2 hours.

If you cannot make this time, please indicate a future preference time and if there’s enough interest in Europe and USA then we can align with these times and do a separate session.

The skype format will largely be Q&A based with some supporting material that I will distribute to the group.

Just send email to confirm attendance. beyersailing@gmail.com

Laser Master Worlds - Day 5

by Pam

Our day started our looking like this ...

We've been wearing full foul weather gear everyday as we pull away from the docks just because of the wind and cold but today, it was for the rain.  It wasn't as cold and the wind settled into the mid teens with a few gusts in the low 20s but we started out wet.  

We ended the day looking like this ...

We even had some moments of honest to goodness sunshine.  One more day of what has been a tough regatta and it's rock, paper, scissors on what tomorrow's weather will bring.

Laser Master Worlds - Day 4

by Pam

This is my favorite competitor ... always smiling and always says hello and thank you.

Sitting in the harbor getting ready to head out, our wind meter was steadily climbing into the 20s.  As we motored out of the harbor, it continued to build until we were consistently hitting the 30s.  Sailors were making their way to the race course with minimal tippage but the guys on the boat were wondering aloud if they would start a race in those conditions. 

One of the guys sitting next to me said, 'they say if you can sail in the Irish sea, you can sail anywhere.'  I think he may be right.

After most of the fleet battled their way to the course, the wind died down to the mid teens, the sun came out here and there and the PRO started the sequence almost exactly at noon.  There were a few general recalls but the delays were not too bad and the fleets were off.

My job on the finish boat has ranged from just take some pictures to taking scores with my left hand and snapping random pictures and video with my right.  I only really get to watch the Apprentice and Master fleets go around the course because once they begin finishing, all the fleets seem to come in together.  We've decided the inner loop is shorter than the outer loop.

After the Masters fleet rounded the bottom mark in the first race, I looked back at the start for the Great Grand Masters and they were all gone except for Doug, sitting there all by himself.  Turns out just before the race began, he pulled on the Cunningham and it broke and he couldn't fix it in time and became a spectator.  

Next race, I watched him through binoculars and heard them say on the radio that they got one boat over early and from what I could see it looked like it would be Doug.  Sure enough, at the end of the day, when they posted the scores, he learned that he had just acquired another two throw outs in addition to the two he already had.  And since it appears there is only one throw out for this regatta, this is now a relaxed learning experience and a chance to try various things he's learned recently.  

I'm just thankful I was not watching yesterday when he almost drowned himself, torso dragging through the water, feet still under the hiking strap, not willing to capsize (too cold) but not able to get the boat to come back up.  It gave him a good fright and put all things into perspective.  He is doing his Worlds journal but not sending it out and will eventually publish it.  I don't know if it will be entertaining, enlightening, or kind of sad.  We shall see but like my favorite competitor above, Doug is a happy guy with a wicked sense or humor. 

Laser Master Worlds - Day 3

by Pam

There were several Laser Master World's regulars who opted out of the Worlds this year believing that Ireland would be a tough venue. They were right.  But I am glad we are here.

Results, news, and pictures are readily available so there is no need for me to try to provide any of that.  

We are learning that Ireland is not for the weak.  From colds going around to capsizes, rescues, abandoned boats, injuries, and ambulances, there is a whole gamut of emotions but I think humility tops the list for most.  Some are thriving but most are surviving.

A photo was posted by the event photographer, David Branigan (Oceansport), which I thought was a fantastic photo of Brett Beyer leading the pack.  As the last boats were finishing on Tuesday and I had not seen Doug cross the line, I began to panic, bouncing around the boat, frantically searching for him.  Then, he appeared from behind the mast, second to last boat on the course, missing his hat.  I waited patiently for him to finish, he turned and gave me the thumbs up, and I my heart started beating again. Then a picture appeared before me that gave me the giggles.  It was the exact opposite of the Brett photo ... see for yourself.

Beyer - still in top form                    Photo by David Branigan

Peckover - maybe too old for this stuff                                  Photo by a relieved wife

I woke up on Tuesday with my first cold in over two years and then got to sit on the deck of the finish line boat, in the rain, taking scores.  Doug and I used our lay day to actually rest.  We did sneak out to see the sun for a bit today and I tried my first Hot Irish Whiskey which I highly recommend for my fellow cold sufferers.  We have a tour booked after the sailing ends so we'll see the sights then.  

Laser Master Worlds - Day 2

by Pam

Today was windy and cold ... but mostly cold. I feel a bit guilty on the finish boat.  It's a nice sized sailboat but the wind is such that we still swing around on the anchor.  We go out on deck up by the masts to take finishes and I admit my hands are shaking by the time we get down below to check the scores with each other.  But the deck time is just a few minutes and the rest of the time, we are treated to hot tea and coffee, hot soup, pastries, lunch, desserts and candy.  I believe we had scones warming in the oven close to the time of the last finish today.  It is by far the most comfortable finish line boat I have ever been on.   

The Apprentice and Masters fleet ran a couple of races and were back on shore, showered, warm, dry and enjoying some hot pasta while the Grand Masters and Great Grand Masters were still screwing around trying to get the second race off.  The GM's are a misbehaved bunch with multiple black flags and general recalls (5, I believe) that left the poor GGM's sailing around for at least an hour waiting for the second race.  It doesn't make sense that guys over 65 and sailing a full rig are made to wait around and be the last to race and the last off the water.  Waiting for a race to start in cold, wet, and windy conditions is just plain brutal.  

As soon as the GM's started the final race, the GGM's started their sequence about a minute later and caught up to the GM fleet by the finish.  Would it be so terrible if the GM fleet had to go to the back of the queue after a general recall and let the older guys get on with it.  When I got to Doug shortly after he came off the water, he was about as cold as I've ever seen him.  His priorities were warm carbs, hot shower, and a nap.  But, it was the night for the North American get together so he only got two out of three.

And now we sleep and do it all over again tomorrow.

Laser Master Worlds - Day 1

by Pam

The practice day bought light winds that left some sailors bobbing about on the water and scrambling for a tow in.

Day 1 of racing made the practice day look like the calm before the storm.  As we left the harbor on the finish line boat for the standard course, the wind kicked up and for a moment the wind indicator read 28, then settled into the low 20's as the sailors made their way to the course.  I saw several leave the harbor, sail a little distance toward the start line and then turn around and head back in.  Many on board were already wearing their heavy foul weather gear and there was talk about the upper limits that a Laser could sail and several on board believed that 25 in Ireland would be fairly difficult for a Laser to manage.  

Meanwhile, Brett Beyer went by tuning with a couple of Aussies and all three seemed to be handling the conditions without issue.  As a few gusts came through, some of the Lasers began tipping, including Brett.  At that point, I began to worry about Doug.  But, after what appeared to be a brutal sail to the course start, the wind laid down a bit to a steady 15-20 and the races began.

Apprentice and Masters sailed together in the first start on the outer loop, followed by the Grand Masters sailing the inner loop and finally the Great Grand Masters following on the inner loop.  Just like on the practice day, the timing was such that they all finished about the same time with some of the faster boats in the later starts passing some of the slower boats in the earlier starts.  It was hard to see who was ahead in each fleet except for one.  The first boat around the course, came down the first run with a nice lead.  On the second downwind, he had stretched the lead even further and by the time he hit the bottom reach mark, he was picking up speed and increasing his lead even more as he headed toward the hook to the finish. It was quite impressive to watch. I had recently watched the true story of Secretariat and I swear I could hear the music playing at the end of this clip as this guy came flying toward us.

So who was the racehorse?  One guess ...

Brett Beyer finishing the 1st race with an incredible lead ... second race was almost a carbon copy

He makes it look effortless and he never quits hiking or accelerating until he crosses the line.  The one thing he consistently does is after the last race of the day, he goes right (around the committee boat) and avoids the racing area while virtually everyone else turns left and sails straight into the course of the finishing fleets.  I don't think it is intentional on the part of others, they are just exhausted and want to take the shortest route home to dry land and a hot shower.  However, I always get the feeling that Brett was just getting warmed up and ready to go round again.

As the bulk of the fleet was finishing the last race of the day, even though I could not see the wind indicator, the wind easily kicked up with gusts over 30.  There was flippage and tippage all over the place.  I thought I had my video going on my camera when the 30+ gust came through but it appears when I snapped a photo while recording, I actually turned off the recording.  Oh well ... I think I might get a second chance tomorrow or later this week.

Results

Laser Master Worlds - Tips and Tricks

by Pam

I ran into a sailor at the opening ceremonies who said he came to our blog to read about any tips and tricks for sailing in the conditions here in Ireland and was disappointed not to find any.  I assured him I would have Doug post what he had learned after arriving early and doing Brett Beyer's pre-regatta clinic.  

The first day of training in here in Ireland, Doug said the conditions were unlike anything he had ever experienced and said it was like being in a washing machine. After doing the clinic with Brett, he said he had learned a tremendous amount and was doing significantly better.  

However, to my disappointment, Doug has refused to share what he has learned.  He said that Brett makes his living by coaching and that he did not feel right about sharing what people have to pay to learn.  I get his point but the whole purpose of our blog was to freely share anything and everything that Doug has learned or figured out on his own.  Not everyone can afford the time or money to arrive early or have coaching and this blog was about sharing information and not hoarding it.  Over the years, I have never once heard someone say that Brett has ever refused to answer a question about how to sail in the local conditions, sail settings, etc.   Personally, I don't think the answering questions or sharing any tips and tricks for a venue takes away from the value of coaching.  What I know that I should do and my ability to actually execute it on the water are two very different things.  It took Doug several days of coaching to make improvements.  I am quite certain that if he were simply told what he needed to change, it would not have produced the same result as coaching.  Only an experienced coach is going to be able to watch you sail and tell you all the little things that you need to work on to see the improvement you want.  So, I strongly disagree with Doug's decision to hold back information.  

After all, the beauty of Brett Beyer is that he can arrive at a venue having had little to no practice, go out for a couple of days at the venue, figure out the conditions, optimal sail settings, as well as various tips and tricks for the venue, then compete, do exceptionally well and at the same time, be able to tell you exactly how he is doing it.  Sharing any of that information will certainly ease some frustrations that sailors are having at the venue but it will not ever replace what real coaching can do for them.  I think Brett knows this which is why he is always so forthcoming with information when asked.  What do you think?

Laser Master Worlds - Practice Day

By Pam

I would estimate that only about half the competitors sailed today.  It was light air, starting out a little warm and then getting colder and wetter.  I am somewhat thrilled at getting on the finish line boat on the standard course (Race Area A). It's a big sailboat, two heads, a cabin to get warm, a Bimini if it rains too hard, and hot tea served before we take finishes. What more could an old gal ask for.  

I don't know if today is going to be the norm for the rest of the week, but all four fleets finished at the same time today.  Dublin Bay (an organization made up of the 4 sailing clubs located on the harbor) was running their weekly races which ended up wedging the West Course (Racing Area A today) between the Dublin Bay racing and the shipping lanes so a shortened course was set.  Perhaps tomorrow, the course will be longer and there might be separation between the fleets, but I got the impression the RC was expecting all fleets to finish at the same time.  Should be interesting.

Here are a couple of tips for those sailing.  As you have probably already seen, Chmarine is the sailing supplier on-sight but if happen to need something they do not have, there is a huge marine supply store about a five minute walk up the street. 

As always, spare parts and clothing for sale onsite.

For a wider selection, Viking Marine is just up the street. They have an outstanding selection.

And if you need help, Erin from Perth, Australia will be happy to help but she only works weekends.

Are you confused about Racing Area A/B vs. East/West course?  A/B is independent of East/West with A/B being constant and East/West being variable.  Radials will always be on Racing Area A with yellow cylinders and Standards will always be on Racing Area B with black cylinders.  Whether A or B is the East or West racing area changes daily so consult the notice board each day before you hit the water.

Probably goes without saying but stick to your assigned launch ramp location or you will not be able to sign out or in. 

Laser Master Worlds - Caption Contest #1

Instructions: exit the club and drive around the to boat storage area.
Laser Legend: I see a faster way.

Welcome to Ireland

By Doug

After my brother’s fantasticwin last week, the pressure is on me to do well at this year’s Laser Master Worlds. I arrived in Dublin and had breakfast with my old buddy, Chris Henkel, who is competing in his first Worlds. There are few things as much fun as meeting friends from different parts of the world to share stories and, of course, compete.

I’m staying with Victor and his family for a few days until Pam arrives and then after the racing we’ll do a little touring. One famous stop is of course kissing the BlarneyStone which is said to bestow the gift of eloquence. You’ll see that Victor has clearly kissed the stone when he answered my simple question about what Pam and I should look forward to.