The weather forecast was for a 14 knot breeze with lots of rain for Round 16 of the 2012 Laser Midlands Grand Prix (Sponsored by Wildwind and Rooster Sailing) held at Shustoke Sailing Club on 23rd September. However, when the rain arrived it seemed to put a dampener on the wind which rarely reached that promised. With 3 more rounds of the Grand Prix Circuit to go things couldn't be closer at the top and with many of the contenders present it made for interesting racing.

Race 1 was a close contest between Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold), Jon Swain (Carsington) and Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold) who finished in this order.

In the second race Rich Bennett (South Staffs) put his 4th place from the first race clearly behind him to win from Craig Williamson and Jon Swain.

Going into the last race all four boats were on equal points meaning that whoever won the race also won the event. Bennett took an early lead to be overtaken by Swain, but it was Craig Williamson who came through in the middle of the race and with slightly bettter downwind speed to win the race and the event, with Rich Bennett second and Jon Swain third overall. Just behind the leading pack were Andy and James Allan from Trimpley who had close racing all day with Andy finishing 5th and James 6th.

There are three more events in the series; Draycote (29th September), Nottingham (30th September) and the final event and prize giving at Staunton Harold (7th October).

Results after Round 16: