The grand finale of World Radial Youth was competed for until the last minute, between Blair McLay, from New Zealand, and Frederico Melo, from Portugal. They traded the lead since the beginning of the event. Blair finished the day as World Champion with just a 1 point difference from Frederico. Daniel Jakobsson was the top among the Brazilians. The female prize also went to a New Zealander, Cushla Hume-Merry.

“I battled for this victory. I was very dedicated, I trained hard during the whole year. I really hoped to get the main prize. Now I intend to keep training for the next championships and, of course, to 2008 Olympic Games”, says Blair. Frederico wasn´t classified at the last race and finished in second, but he is happy. “I tried to do the best I could. I didn´t get the first position, but second is good”, he declared.

The last races were also stirred up between brazilian athletes Daniel Jakobsson and André Ribeiro. Daniel was the best brazilian sailor and finished the championship in 6th place, but he was close to a better position, because he even reached 3rd one day. “I could have done much more and I could have done a better performance, but I admit that I have trained like I should have” he moaned. André Ribeiro got the 15th general position.

Between women, Cushla Hume-Merry leaded during almost the whole championship. She finished the world youth in 46th place at the general classification and was radiant with her results. “I am really happy. I dedicate this victory to my mom and from now on I want to train more and more”.

At Silver fleet, which defines classification from 53rd place on, South African Aaron Larkens leaded with 154 lost points. From Brazil, the best was Daniel Dantas. He got 4th place with 165 lost points.

The end of Radial Youth, which reunited teenagers until 18 years old, also marks the end of Laser Worlds 2005. From Setember to December. Fortaleza was the world capital of sail, the first to have 4 world championships at the same place. The strong winds and the warm water were fundamental factors for the success of the champsionship that reunited 600 sailors .

“We finished extremely satisfied because Laser Worlds was a success. We had the happiness of realizing 4 championships, 2 won by brazilian. The line of Fortaleza is known as one of the best worldwide and the high technical level of the sailors are another points to be distincted. The number of sailors that intend to came back to Fortaleza not only to sail, but to make tourism is huge, which is excellent for the city” Philipe Nottingham, president of Brazilian Laser Class Association (ABCL) enphasizes.

The Laser Worlds 2005 includes four world championships: Senior (September 19th to 28th), Master (September 30th to October 8th), Radial Open & Women (December 3rd to 9th) and Radial Youth (December 10th to 17th). The events are organized by the International Laser Class Association, Brazilian Laser Class Association, Ceara State Sailing Federation, Brazilian Sailing Federation and Yacht Club of Fortaleza. The sponsors are: Ceara State Government, thru the Sports and Youth Bureau, Marina Park Hotel and Hamburg Süd. The event also has the support of the brazilian navy, Banco do Nordeste do Brasil, Mayor of Fortaleza, Unilink, Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club and Pirata Bar.