Current Laser Radial Youth World Champion Finn Alexander had keen eyes on him from other competitors, officials and spectators yesterday for the first race of the Peter Lehmann Wines Australian Laser Championship, as the young gun stepped up into the Full Rig division to go up against the big names.
With a positive mindset and excellent boat handling skills in the challenging light winds yesterday, Alexander was able to sail well to finish sixth in a fleet riddled with Olympic and world-class talent.
The day started off with a nice light breeze however unfortunately died off as the fleets began to start, which made it difficult to race in.
Alexander said after the racing he had sailed a few regattas in the Full Rig, however the challenge of racing in one at the nationals was something he was really looking forward to.
“I’m looking forward to it, looking forward to learning lots,” he said.
“It’s all so close, the whole way round it’s really congested … even though it’s a long race in pretty hard conditions you still really had to be switched on for the entire time.”
Competing against some of the best Laser sailors Australia has to offer such as Matthew Wearn, Mark Spearman and Mitchell Kennedy, as well as some international sailors from Japan and Argentina, Alexander finished a promising sixth in the light and testing conditions.
The recent Radial Youth World Champion is showing he has what it takes to battle with the best and will definitely be one to watch for this event and into the future.
With a promising outlook for today of about 10-15 knots, the race committee plans to have three races to make up for only being able to complete one race yesterday.
