RC Laser Winter Series at West Lancashire Yacht Club - Day 3

An epic day at the seaside

Sunday 2nd February saw the third of a six race series for RC Lasers and RC Dragon Force at West Lancs. With 15 Lasers and 11 Dragons, overall numbers were a little down. With the weather forecast, it was remarkable that any one turned up at all. But what a day.

Winds were strong, with both fleets using smallest sails, for all but the last two races.

Vice Commodore Clive Porter was acting as PRO and set a good triangular course, with the Dragons, being a bit smaller and thus a little slower through the water, having the windward mark about 2/3 the length of the Laser beat. Being a cruel taskmaster, he set three laps, and it all worked splendidly!

In the Dragons there was some damage, mostly consisting of water ingress or cordage failures. The boats themselves handled the wind and waves very well. John Tushingham continued to give a master class in model yacht racing, with two discards, his lowest score was a first.

In the nine races sailed, Tim Long won the races John didn't and the other podiums were spread between Tom Mills and Graham Whalley, with Graham Cornfeld and Joanne Sharpe each stealing an odd one.

Graham Whalley had electrical problems after lunch, which ruined a very promising day, though Glynn Sheffield didn't actually get on the water!

The Dragons are likely to catch the Lasers numerically by the end of the series, not bad considering this is the first Open Series to be held for them. Standards are noticeably improving all the time, and the boat is proving itself to be a strong and very welcome addition the the RC Model Yacht fleet.

The Lasers once again proved that no matter what system is used, the cream will always rise to the top. Current National, French National and World Champion, Dave Fowler, gave a similar master class in sailboat racing to John Tush. John is himself a former Laser National Champion.

In the 11 races Dave won 6 and was counting 2's as discards.

John Sharman and Andy Kissick continued their own personal battle for 2nd, with John getting it on count back.

It was good to see a couple of juniors battling with the old guard, Jordan Porter got a couple of 4ths, Sean Dix had boat problems, and even with a borrowed boat, struggled with reliability.

With 6 of the 14 skippers making a podium in at least one race, and close finishing throughout the fleet, this was perhaps the best day of the series so far.

In truth, things just get better and better. Standards are getting better all the way down the fleets, the course problems of sailing two different classes at the same time have now been well sorted (no difficulties at all this week), Clive has proved himself to be an excellent PRO (high praise indeed, he's only a dinghy sailor) and the Club has come up trumps with food and facilities, thanks Alan.

The next day's racing is Sunday 16th Feburary, and it is well worth the trip.

Day 3 Results:

Dragons
1st John Tushingham (Keighley)
2nd Tim Long (Llandudno)
3rd Tom Mills (Fleetwood)

RC Lasers
1st Dave Fowler (Kingsmill)
2nd John Sharman (Keighley)
3rd Andy Kissick (Blackpool & Fylde)

Full results, including the overall current positions, which make interesting reading, can be found if you Google fairhavenlasers.