20 August 2009
Be Number 1’s Paul Goodison will be seeking the one title that has hitherto eluded him in a stellar career when the 2009 Laser World Championships start today on the pristine waters of St Margaret’s Bay in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The 31-year-old Yorkshireman recently added a fifth successive European title to complement the Olympic gold medal that he won in China last year. Such has been Goodison’s astonishing form, he is unbeaten on the international circuit since memorably claiming that Olympic gold.

Goodison said: "Since returning from the Olympics, the World Championship has been the one title that I have really wanted and the whole year has been geared towards preparing for that goal.

"The title is not mine by rights, but I'm reasonably comfortable with the way I have been sailing, so there's no reason not to be confident of doing well."

Goodison’s chief threat is likely to 21-year-old Australian Tom Slingsby, who won the 2007 and 2008 world titles. The 10- year-age difference is rare in a racing class where winners are usually in their late teens or early twenties.

Excellent racing conditions are likely over the next seven days of racing, despite a possible brush with Hurricane Bill late this weekend and into Monday. And event organizers are keeping a close eye on its current track.

“We always watch the wind for these regattas,” said Sandy MacMillan, the safety committee chairman. ”If there are any race cancellations because of high winds or heavy seas, they can be made up on a later day.”

Celebrating the fortieth anniversary of its design by Canadian Bruce Kirby, almost 200,000 Lasers are sailed worldwide by elite athletes and weekend cottage sailors alike.