Laser South Coast Grand Prix at Dell Quay Sailing Club
by James Norfolk 29 Apr 2009 08:12 BST
26 April 2009
Sailors from fifteen clubs from as far afield as Wembley and Jersey and along the south coast, made up an entry of thirty boats sailing in the Laser South Coast Grand Prix event at Dell Quay SC in Chichester Harbour, on Sunday 26 April. The clear sky and moderate 10 to 14 knot S to SE wind, offered ideal sailing conditions.
The three races were held back to back over a windward leeward course, with the downwind mark near the clubhouse affording the spectators a close view of the racing. The tricky combination of tides and shifting winds caused the fleet to spread out over the windward leg of the course as the helms sought to play the wind shifts and hug the shore to dodge the tide in the first two races.
The turning tide made the start of the third race difficult with the ebb carrying boats over the line resulting in a restart. The Standard Rig fleet was dominated by Ian Morgan from Weston SC, who won all three races. The battle for second place was tight between Chris Russell from Stokes Bay SC and Malcolm Buchanan from Dell Quay both finishing with five points, with Russell taking second place under the tie break rules.
The Radial fleet provided the largest entry, and here the result was less clear cut with Jon Emmett of Weirwood SC winning the first race ahead of David Putt of St Catherines SC, Jersey. In the second race Kerry Morgan from Weston SC finished ahead of Emmett and the final outcome then depended on the last race which Emmett won with Ben Elvin from Wembley SC second, to secure victory. Morgan was second overall finishing on equal points with Elvin, but winning on tie break and Alex Benbow of Stokes Bay SC finished fourth.
In the Laser 4.7 class, Tom Britz from Royal Lymington YC won all three races with Jamie Diamond of Warsash SC, in second place. The prize for the youngest competitor went to Matthew Goodbourn of Burghfield SC.
Overall Results:
Standard Rig
1st Ian Morgan (Weston SC) 2pts
2nd Chris Russell (Stokes Bay SC) 5pts
3rd Malcolm Buchanan (Dell Quay SC) 5pts
Radial Rig
1st Jon Emmett (Weirwood SC) 2pts
2nd Kerry Morgan (Weston SC) 5pts
3rd Ben Elvin (Wembley SC) 5pts
4th Alex Benbow 6pts
4.7 Rig
1st Tom Britz (Royal Lymington YC) 2pts
2nd Jamie Diamond (Warsash SC) 4 pts