Noble Marine Laser Stratos Nationals at Warsash Sailing Club

Stratos nationals at Warsash © Eddie Mays

Stratos nationals at Warsash © Eddie Mays

Stratos nationals at Warsash © Eddie Mays

Despite dire wind forecasts, nine Laser Stratos teams enjoyed an excellent weekend of competitive racing, fantastic sunshine and a nice F3-4 sea breeze in the Solent. Six boats were from Warsash Sailing Club, two from Emsworth Slipper SC and the Wilkinson Family from Rye Harbour SC.

After a slow Saturday morning, the boats were towed out to the race area for 3 triangle / sausage races (about 50 mins each). The starts were keenly contested with some discussion about the rules. The local boats were being closely watched by the "out of towners" trying to work out what the tide was doing. There were different thoughts on tactics and which side of the upwind course was preferred. In the marginal breezes those finding it harder to get on the plane (too many bacon rolls) were opting to soak deeper. This was really good competitive, tactical windward leeward racing.

Race 1: Greg and Aimee O'Brien and (in the Warsash Club boat) gave a clear statement of intent with first place with Chris Coleman and Jake Bonsor (WSC) second. John Excell and Simon Goldfarb (ESSC) came third in their first dinghy race in the Solent.

Race 2: Having got their discard in early 2012 National Champions David Swift and Rob Burgess (WSC) came through to beat Greg and Aimee and claim first place for race 2. John and Simon fought back from an individual recall to claim 3rd place after some very deep soaking. Race 3: David and Rob won the third race with Gordon Watson and Richard Jarman (WSC) taking a good second place. John and Simon continued the trend with another 3rd place just ahead of the fast improving Wilkinson family.

After an excellent day's racing the fleet enjoyed a lengthy kite run back to Warsash and the evening festivities commenced.

Sunday morning was a waiting game again but an early gamble to tow the boats out in 5 kts of breeze was rewarded when a steady F3 greeted us in the Solent. There were two races (triangle / sausage again – why mess with a winning formula) and with a discard to throw into the mix it was all to play for.

Race 4: Greg decided to change crew (Aimee out, Megan in) and continued with the fine form to win a very close, race long duel with David and Rob. David's attempt to slow Greg down by using the lazy kite sheet only resulted in penalty turns. Chris Coleman and Jake Bonsor finished 3rd and the Wilkinson Family (RHSC) 4th.

Race 5: This was again a close race at the front of the fleet between Greg and David with Greg coming out on top to secure first place overall by 1 point from David and Rob. Third place went to the amazing Wilkinson Family (Jonathan, Christine, Scott 11 and Katy 8). Simon and John came in 4th to secure 3rd place overall. Simon remarked "The Wilkinson Family were right on it all the way round, we traded places a few times but we just couldn't catch them at the end. I looked up as they crossed the line ahead of us to see Katy was helming and giving us a little wave."

Worthy of note:

• Greg O'Brien wins the Laser Stratos national championships in the WSC club boat
• Really close racing for first and second place with David Swift and Rob Burgess only one point behind in second place
• John Excell and Simon Goldfarb from Emsworth Slipper crash the Warsash party with third place in their first nationals and first dinghy races in the Solent
• The Wilkinson Family finishing sixth overall and showing us how to race competitively with juniors in the boat

The fleet again enjoyed a kite run back into the Hamble as Queen Mary 2 came out from Southampton Water. Altogether a fantastic weekend sailing – excellent weather, close competitive racing all through the fleet, great race management and really good hospitality. This is a really friendly class in a boat that can be raced hard or used to take the kids sailing (or both at the same time).

Many thanks to everyone at Warsash Sailing Club and hope to see even more boats out next year.

Overall Results: