Young Brit Kieran Martin made an early statement of intent as he leads the charge for the Bic Techno Under 15 World title after day one of the 2009 IWA Junior, Youth and Masters Windsurfing World Championships at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). [more]
 
But the level-headed 14-year-old from Cheadle, Cheshire insists he will not be taking any notice of the overall standings until after the end of the RYA Racing Events-run regatta on Saturday (29 August) as those are the only scores that count.
 
Martin got his Championships off to a flyer today (Monday 24 August) as he landed a race one victory before following that up with a second race third to sit a point ahead of Israel’s Ben Hayoun in the boys’ fleet.
 
However, the youngster, who took Under 15 bronze at last year’s Worlds before being crowned 2009 Under 15 European champion in April, admits he was just pleased to get underway with two good scores.
 
He said: “I just wanted to make sure I got a couple of good counting races so I was really pleased with what I ended the day with. I don’t really want to be worrying about the overall scores until after the competition is over because then you can end up taking your mind off the things that you should be thinking about. 
 
“To relax before racing I like to socialise and hang out with my friends and that wasn’t any different today. I did have a few nerves this morning but at the same time I felt confident I had done all I could do to prepare so when I actually got out on to the racecourse I was quite relaxed.”
 
Italy’s Marta Maggetti, 13, leads the Under 15 girls’ competition, a race two victory giving her a two-point advantage over May Witson (ISR) with Britain’s Emma Labourne enjoying a great start to the regatta in third.
 
A perfect victory double for Marcin Urbanowicz (POL) sees him lead the Under 17 boys’ event, while, with the fleet split into two groups for the qualifying stage, Mateo Sanz Lanz (ESP) and Sam Sills (GBR) lie tied in second with two second places apiece.
In the Under 17 girls’ fleet, the Israelis are dominating with three sailors sitting inside the top five, headed by 15-year-old Hadas Zaga in pole position ahead of Veronica Fanciucci (ITA) in second and Israeli teammate Kishon Lora third.
 
Racing is scheduled to resume at 11am tomorrow (Tuesday).
 
To follow all the action from WPNSA visit http://www.ryaracingevents.org.uk/