The first race of the 2006 Asia Pacific Laser Championship got under way today in Singapore. By chance, it also coincides with one of the wettest weeks in June, leaving the 66 participants with little wind and delayed start signals.

Thunderstorms in the early afternoon followed by gentle and shifty wind conditions ruled the day with barely enough for Chief Race Officer Khor Chek Leong and his team to call a start. At approximately 3.00pm, the fleet of 30 boats in the Laser Radial class managed to start the first race with Singapore’s Scott Glen Sydney taking advantage of a wind shift at the start and led the entire to a finish. Malaysians Nurul Elia, Adrian Brian Chang and Mohd Romzi took second, third and fourth positions respectively. SEA Games Gold medalist Singapore’s Lo Man Yi came in fifth.

The 36 boats in the Laser Standard class caught the wrong time to start to which it became a waiting game for the wind to show. At close to 5.00pm, the wait was to no avail and all boats were called to return to shore.