Laser EPS Open at Whitefriars Sailing Club
by John Codner 24 Apr 2009 08:34 BST
18-19 April 2009
Sunshine and light winds for the Whitefriars Laser EPS open © WSC
Whitefriars SC hosted the first Laser EPS open of the season on the 18/19 April. A fitful shifty Force 3 Easterly gave problems for Simon Clark the Race officer who set a tight course.
Peter Card (188) with Rob Dangerfield (303) and Ivor Keates (184) set off well in race one, with Ivor from the home club on top after the first lap and managed to stretch out to a good lead. John Codner(127) gradually crept into the race to take 2nd with 303 in 3rd.
In the second race of the afternoon Peter Card had a good start and lead for 4 laps when he was joined by Simon Bates (135) who took the lead and 127 and 184 both in close order. With 2 shifty beats the next 2 laps saw the order change by the minute. On the final beat Simon took the gun followed by 127, 184 and 188.
Sunday arrived with more sun and a similar shifty breeze. Dave Whittle Race officer set some interesting courses.
The first race went to John Codner who led from the first mark but was followed closely by Claire Ellis (180) who found the lighter conditions more favourable to take 2nd place with 184 and 135 following.
With a committee boat start from the far end of the lake giving a good beat, John Codner and Peter Card were showing the way after Chris Stout (114) won the start. At the first mark, after a textbook start on port, 135 was eventually 3rd.
The same course was used for the last race, with Rob Dangerfield getting back to his usual form, disputing the lead for 2 laps with 2127 until getting on the wrong side of a shift. John Codner won the race with 303 2nd. A tussle for 3rd and 4th saw Ivor Keates just ahead at the line, Mike Kerr in 133 had his best result and showed that fleet racing can have benefits.
The home club took overall honours with John Codner (Whitefriars SC) on 5 points, Ivor Keates (Whitefriars SC) on 10 points and Simon Bates (Dee SC) on 12 points. It was a successful weekend with the class looking forward to the Nationals in September and the usual open at Llangorse in late September.