Laser 2000s at the Weymouth Regatta

Laser 2000s at the Weymouth Regatta © Paul Robbins

The Weymouth Dinghy Regatta held on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July formed the 4th event in the Laser2000’s 2012 Millennium Series. The Dinghy Regatta was organised by the combined Yacht Clubs of Weymouth and hosted by Castle Cove Sailing Club. Scheduled just 2 weeks before the Olympic regatta, the maximum number, circa 145, of entries was reached well before the deadline. The Laser2000 achieved the highest number of entries at 35 of any class, with an impressive turnout of 13 local boats demonstrating its growing popularity.

The racing area was in Weymouth Bay, close to what will be the West course area in the Olympics. Windward-Leeward courses were set with a 1 nautical mile long beat, spreader mark and gated leeward mark. The course was shared with 3 other classes: International 14, Cherub and Asymmetric handicap, and despite the size of the course there was some “interesting” additional traffic to contend with!

Saturday saw the continuing inclement and cool weather but with a moderate off-shore NNW breeze of 15 knots as race 1 got underway. The fleet lined up across the accurately set line and were well disciplined avoiding a general recall. Rob & Gemma Burridge took the first bullet, followed by Fergus & Laura Barnham in 2nd and Matt Sargent & Emma McClusky in 3rd . As race 2 started, the wind dropped to about 12 knots and continued to decline to 8 knots causing the race officer Adrian Patterson to shorten the course to 2 laps, with Rob & Gemma Burridge securing a second victory followed by Iain & Sarah Lardley in 2nd and Dave Adams & Richard Thomas in 3rd. Race 3 had to be abandoned as the fleet were heading back down to the leeward gate when the wind shifted round 60 degrees to the WSW.

Saturday evening entertainment included a Hog roast and local singer/DJ Darron Garnett and a highly subsidised bar thanks to Regatta sponsor Palmers.

The weather on Sunday was much more seasonal with bright sunshine and a 16-20 knots westerly breeze providing excellent L2000 conditions. Race 4 was set for 2 laps and was won by Fergus & Laura Barnham, followed by Rob & Gemma Burridge in 2nd and Dave Adams & Richard Thomas again in 3rd. As race 5 was being started, conditions freshened to 18-22 knots and the race was consequently lengthened to 3 laps. The winners of race 5 were Dave Adams & Richard Thomas who were followed by Fergus & Laura Barnham in 2nd and Matt & Clare Sargent in 3rd. The wind backed slightly causing the race officer to move the committee boat and reset the course to maintain the 1 nautical mile beat. Wind strength had reduced to 16-18 knots, but built back to 18-22 knots during race 6 which was won by Matt & Clare Sargent who were followed by Dave Adams & Richard Thomas in 2nd and Fergus & Laura Barnham in 3rd.

With 5 races sailed, 4 different race winners and only 1 discard, the results couldn’t have been closer. Rob & Gemma Burridge took the overall prize despite sitting out the last race, tied on 8 points with Fergus & Laura Barnham in 2nd, Dave Adams & Richard Thomas on 9 points in 3rd and Matt & Clare Sargent on 11 points in 4th.

Overall Results: (top ten)