Laser Midlands Grand Prix Round 19 at Staunton Harold Sailing Club
by Paul Williamson 8 Oct 2012 21:20 BST
7 October 2012
The final round of the 2012 Laser Midland Grand Prix was held at Staunton Harold Sailing Club on 7th October. The wind forecast of 5 knts dropping to 1 knot wasn't enough to put off the 26 helms that arrived in the fog and after a 30 minute postponement the boats took to the water for the first race.
The fleet were split across the port biased start line with some favouring the starboard end in slightly stronger wind. It was Paul Williamson from the home club who started at the port end, tacked onto Starboard sailed slightly left of centre to reach the windward mark first just before the wind filled in from the right to bring Craig Williamson and Pete Newbery from Earlswood through to round in second and third on the downwind leg following a short reach Pete Newbery chose to chase the wind on the left side to pass Craig Williamson by the next Mark.
The wind dropped significantly for the second lap, with Paul Williamson opening a big lead by the windward mark only to be cauget by Pete Newbery and Craig Williamson on the next reach. However on the final run the chasing pack caught the leading three boats when they got becalmed. Paul Williamson and Pete Newbery managed to hold on to their positions but Jon Swain (Carsington) and Rob Lennox (Barnt Green) came through to take 3rd and 4th places in front of Craig Williamson in 5th. These proved to be the final results when no further wind appeared for the afternoon races.
The Radials struggled against the standards in the conditions but had a close race with Rachael Lennox (Barnt Green) leading from Jessie Welbourne Hesp (Ogston), Lori Hudson (Rutland), Ryan Lettinga (Carsington) and Alex Homer (Midland).
The 2012 Laser Grand Prix Circuits are sponsored by Wildwind Sailing and Rooster Sailing.