The 2006 Asia Pacific Laser Championship concluded today after five days of racing off the National Sailing Centre, Singapore. Eleven races were sailed for both the Laser Standard and Radial fleets thus allowing two discards.

The first race of the day kicked off with light winds of three to five knots which gradually built up to a steady eight knots breeze in the following three races.

The varying conditions throughout the regatta made the event a challenging one for the competitors.

No one could beat Australian Michael Blackburn in the Laser Standard fleet as he led consistently throughout with 17 points, winning the regatta even without having to sail the last race. “The relatively mild conditions in Singapore are quite similar to those in Qingdao. Singapore can be a good training ground for those aiming for the 2008 Olympic Games. The locals here are friendly and the regatta was well organized and executed,” said Michael Blackburn who is working towards his fourth Olympic campaign and also holds the record for crossing the Bass Strait in a Laser.

Singapore’s Maximilian Soh sailed almost flawlessly with two wins today and came in second behind Blackburn. Joshua Chant from Australia dropped a place to third overall.

In the Laser Radial division, both Singapore’s Lo Man Yi and Malaysia’s Mohd Romzi finished the regatta on an equal 41 points, but after a tiebreaker count back, Man Yi has to settle for second place overall.  Colin Cheng from Singapore follows closely in third position with 45 points.

The 2006 Asia Pacific Laser Championship is organised by Singapore Sailing Federation and sponsored by Bausch & Lomb (S) Pte Ltd, Brewerkz Singapore Pte Ltd, Laser (Performance Sailcraft), Singapore Sports Council and Sentosa Leisure Group.

Laser Standard Winners

Open Category – Michael Blackburn (AUS)

Youth Category – Maximilian Soh (SIN)

Apprentice Masters – Michael Blackburn (AUS)

Masters Category – Anthony Park (NZL)

Laser Radial Winners

Open Category – Mohd Romzi Bin Muhamad (MAS)

Youth Male Category – Colin Cheng Xinru (SIN)

Youth Female Category – Lo Man Yi (SIN)

Sub-Junior (Male) – Scott Glen Sydney (SIN)

 Laser Radial - Final Results
 Laser Standard - Final Results
 Photos of Prize Giving