As soon as Dan Slater crossed the finish line of the World Masters Games, final race, someone shouted out that Slater had picked up a Games medal finally. He got this medal after the fourth time of trying.
Slater has a tight battle with Matt Blakey over 10 races within the apprentice masters of the Laser fleet. The pair was separated by only two points going into the final day of the tournament and that was how Salter finished as they crossed each other within one position in both the races.
To qualify the event, Slater lost 7kgs, on which he explained, during the weight loss period, he eats like a Finn sailor and did not do exercise. He said all the efforts brought the results as one can see here.
He said, “It was a great fun, I enjoyed being back racing and that too in a big fleet like this. As far as the dieting is concerned, then it is just good for my health.”
In the Laser fleet, Matt Blakey settled for second position. And he was also happy with his performance. The conditions of sailing were good at the event and the competitors enjoyed it thoroughly. It was 10-15 knot northerly blowing wind off Torbay. However, two or more time there were some hairy moments for some, and Peter Lester the former New Zealand Sailor of the Year and commentator of yachting was thrown into the drink unceremoniously.
In the championship, in addition to Lester and Slater, there were many sailing royalty present who participated in the competition. The other personalities were weak and former champion of Olympic Rex Sellers also there and he got the medal in the single-handed Weta. Seller won his age group (65-74) easily, but it seemed he was keener in individual honors.