Tom Slingsby is beginning to mark himself out as one of the all-time greats in the Laser class, and he’s only 23 years old. The Aussie seems to like it rough, and that’s what he and the rest of the Laser World Championship fleet got in Terrigal.
It has to be windy when sailing is blown off for a world-class Laser fleet, but that’s what happened when the breeze was blustering up to 40 knots on the final day. So no Medal Race for 2nd placed Argentine sailor, Julio Alsogaray, to take a last gasp pop at Slingsby, and he missed out on the world title by just 2 points.
It has been a tough championship, with a few of the usual suspects appearing nowhere near the top 10. Slingsby said he was surprised not to get more of a fight from Skandia Team GBR’s Paul Goodison or the Kiwi Andrew Murdoch, who were 7th and 14th respectively. Looking at the way the Canadians were firing on all cylinders in Sydney before Christmas, an even bigger shock and disappointment must be Michael Leigh finishing top Canuck in 23rd overall.
Winning two consecutive Worlds at such a young age, Slingsby looks capable of adding many more titles to his name, but can he win the Big G at the Olympics in China? That is still a big question mark for a sailor who by his own admission is happiest when he’s hanging off the toestrap. “Fresh is my preferred conditions, but I am getting there in the light winds. Yesterday (he scored two from two wins) were my perfect conditions, but I’ve had good speed all week. Sometimes speed can take you the wrong way though, as it did day before yesterday and I have to be careful of that,” he said.
Slingsby, like many Olympic sailors, faces the daunting prospect of losing weight for Qingdao. “My diet for China started 10 minutes ago. I have a goal weight of 74-75 kilos which I think is achievable.”
