There is no regatta quite like the Laser Master Worlds. With 301 entries ranging from “kids” of 35 to Legends of more than 75 years old, it’s a collection of some of the most dedicated and fit sailing athletes. The sense of camaraderie is amazing. And this year’s event, on Dublin Bay, is epic as usual. There are a number of outstanding Northwest Laser sailors attending, including Bill Symes, who’s dominating the Great Grand Master Radial rigs, to Mark Brink returning to Lasers in the Standard rig Grand Master (55-65 year old) class. I’m working on a full report on this regatta which ends on Sunday, but in the meantime after eight races here are how the Pacific Northwesterners stand:
Bill Symes – 1st in the Great Grand Masters Radial Rig
Mark Brink – 6th in the Grand Masters Standard Rig
Jay Winberg – 4th 75+yo Radial Rig
Bob Britten – 6th Grand Master Radial Rig
Jorge Suarez – 50th Masters Standard Rig
Peter Woytkowiak – 25th Grand Master Radial
Dave Jursik – 39th Grand Master Radial
If there are other masters participants you know about, please clue me in! And if there’s anything to contribute on this story (competitor’s tales, photos etc), send it my way.
Kurt grew up racing and cruising in the Midwest, and has raced Lasers since the late 1970s. Currently he is a broker at Swiftsure Yachts. He has been Assistant Editor at Sailing Magazine and a short stint as Editor of Northwest Yachting. Through Meadow Point Publishing he handles various marketing duties for smaller local companies. He currently is partners on a C&C 36 which he cruises throughout the Northwest. He’s married to the amazing Abby and is father to Ian and Gabe.