Round 15 of the Laser Midland Grand Prix (sponsored by Wildwind Sailing and Rooster Sailing) was held at Trent Valley Sailing Club on 16th September located on the River Trent. The 15 boats that competed were not disappointed when they were greeted by the forecasted 14 knt wind.

The race officer did well to set a course that stated in a downstream direction to the first mark, then took the fleet upstream for approx three quarters of a mile to a region of the river that enabled a three lap windward/leeward course to be sailed before returning to the finish line opposite the clubhouse. The wind direction held for this course throughout the day.

Three boats dominated the event, Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold), Sam Knight (Bartley) and local sailor Ben Richardson.

The first race was close with the lead changing between Williamson and Knight, but it was ultimately Williamson who took the race from Knight and Richardson in third.

Race two was very nearly a repeat of race one but this time it was Knight who won from Williamson and Richardson.

With the last race as the decider it was Ben Richardson who used his local knowledge to take an early lead, but he was pressed hard by Sam Knight for the first two laps and with a spectacular capsize from Craig Williamson on the downwind leg it looked certain that Sam Knight would take the event. But a close covering duel between Richardson and Knight in the strong current up the final beat allowed Williamson to take advantage of the slack current at the river bank to round the final mark just behind Richardson, he overhauled Richardson on the final run down to the finish to win the race and the event, with Sam Knight 2nd and Ben Richardson 3rd.

Further down the fleet there was a similar battle between Simon Limb (Nottingham), Alley Britton (Trent Valley), Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold), Martin Hallsworth (Wellbeck) and Jessie Welbourne Hesp who finished in 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th respectively. Williamson and Welbourne Hesp being 1st and 2nd in the Radials.

Results: