Laser vice world champion Philipp Buhl suffered a setback in Mexico in the hunt for his third World Championship medal after bronze in 2013 and silver in 2015. After the 26-year-old had already collected a yellow flag at the start, he was penalised again by the referees on the second day in the pre-start phase. With consequences...
While Buhl described the punishment on day one as justified, he was annoyed by the "exaggerated and completely unjustified" yellow flag on the following day. The active spokesman for the national sailing team, who is known as an exemplary fair player, told YACHT online: "This second yellow flag was the first one I have ever received in my entire sailing career in a pre-start phase, in which I always act within the rules. The one downwind of me completely overdid it, collected a flag and caused chaos. But that's the way it is now. Doesn't help. Streicher. I put a third place behind me. We still have five days to go. So let's see what happens." Yellow flags are given for unauthorised propulsion measures such as heavy rocking and tearing at the sheets. The first time the whistle is blown, two squiggles must be turned. For the second offence of the same nature, the sailor must abandon the race.
In the intermediate classification, Buhl is in ninth place despite the 57-point penalty for the third race, which he was forced to abandon after the second yellow flag, because he can cancel the result. However, he cannot afford another big slip-up if he does not want to jeopardise his medal mission. The nine-time Laser world champion, double Olympic champion and co-favourite Robert Scheidt is also sailing on course for the world championship after an early start at the beginning and is in fifth place after four races. The Croatian Tonci Stipanovic has taken the lead ahead of the British defending champion Nick Thompson and the Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Bernaz. Other top sailors such as Nicholas Heiner, 2014 Laser World Champion, initially finished in 30th place. World Cup final winner Tom Burton from Australia is in 19th place.
The Mexican world championship area is showing its best side. According to Buhl, "a cool wind" has been blowing off Riviera Nayarit so far, with 13 to 17 knots on the first day, slightly less on the second, but according to Buhl "still hanging conditions".
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
