SCHEIDT Streaks Ahead

A 20 knot southeasterly provided perfect conditions for the Laser sailors gathered in Fortaleza as they left the shore yesterday for the final two races of the qualifying series. The conditions were ideal for Australia's Brendan CASEY, who gained the lead on the second windward leg and held off the challenge of SCHEIDT to deny the Brazilian a fifth straight victory and score his second bullet of the Championship. In the other fleet, Bernard LUTTMER (CAN) recorded his first win of the Championship with the consistent ZBOGAR coming in second. Jeremie STEYART (FRA) had a slight disappointing race, dropping to tenth and allowing ZBOGAR into second place overall.

In race eight the wind dropped to 16 knots and SCHEIDT got back to his winning ways, take the line ahead of Alexander SCHLONSKI (GER) and Andrew MURDOCH (NZL). Diego ROMERO (ARG) beat a resurgent STEYART to the line in the yellow fleet, with Mark POWELL (GBR) third and ZBOGAR falling out of the top five for the first time in the Championship in ninth to allow SCHEIDT to further extend his lead.

The gold fleet will now race for the Championship title, with two final races scheduled for each of today, tomorrow and Wednesday. With the excellent conditions in Brazil set to continue, it promises to be a fantastic end to the Worlds, especially for the home supporters, who are seeing their top sailor at the peak of his powers.

Top Ten After Eight Races

Pos	Nation	Helm	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	Pts
1	BRA	Robert SCHEIDT	(17)	2	1	1	1	1	2	1	9
2	SLO	Vasilij ZBOGAR	4	4	5	2	2	4	2	(9)	23
3	FRA	Jeremie STEYAERT	4	1	(14)	5	3	1	10	2	26
4	NZL	Andrew MURDOCH	(14)	1	11	1	5	2	5	3	28
5	CRO	Mate ARAPOV	1	4	(13)	3	7	2	6	6	29
6	ARG	Diego Emilio ROMERO	5	7	2	3	13	(BFD)	3	1	34
7	FRA	Felix PRUVOT	(36)	3	3	11	9	4	7	9	46
8	GER	Alexander SCHLONSKI	7	3	6	(26)	10	7	13	2	48
9	AUS	Brendan CASEY	15	13	1	6	4	(19)	1	12	52
10	GBR	Mark POWELL	7	(20)	11	7	2	3	20	3	53