RC Laser Winter Series at West Lancashire Yacht Club - Day 4

This very successful series just goes from strength to strength, and this, the 4th of 6 days racing brought together the largest turnout so far.

The RC Laser, an excellent and by now well known one design, brought together a best ever 21 skippers, and the Dragon, a strict one design within the the RG65 rule framework had a best ever turnout of 15 skippers. It all made for some very busy sailing, with up to 36 RC boats on the water at any one time!

The weather required sunscreen and dark glasses, hard to believe I know, but true. The forecast said 10-15 knots and easing, a chance of rain (it didn't rain), so good reason to make the journey. We started in small rigs, and ended in the largest rigs. A total of 11 races completed in each fleet, around a triangular course, allowing 2 race discards. All very satisfactory.

The comment, "it's magical, how do they do it" was heard.

Alan Tickle prepared 29 lunches, thank you Alan, and still managed 7th. The positives just keep on coming. The Club has worked wonders, good courses, prompt starts, bacon butty on arrival, lunch, tea and coffee all day for £7, including race entry. It's a great series.

RC Lasers

Although it is recommended not to race more than 18 boats at a time, this is to reduce incidents at marks, it was decided very early to put all 21 boats out as one fleet. A good decision, they behaved impeccably.

There is quite a range of abilities and experience in the Laser fleet. Current National Champion Dave Fowler travels from Nottingham because he likes the standard of competition, while Ewan Kirkbride found his Laser in among the debris of a house move, and put it on the water for the first time in 3 1/2yrs! Adam Kissick turns out every so often to keep the fleet honest, and there are a goodly number of skippers who turn out regularly and are improving appreciably.

By lunch, and 5 races, Dave Fowler held a solid lead over Shaun Holbech. Adam Kissick battled with John Sharman and Peter Lansdale.

By the end, and 11 races with 9 to count this proved to be the leading group, though Dave is in danger of losing his No1 status.

For interest, Ewan finished 8th.

With 2 events still to complete, there are currently 16 skippers who qualify overall.

Dragons

The Dragons also had their best ever turnout, with 15 boats.

Racing in the Dragons is proving very interesting. The Dragon is an introductory boat, aimed solidly at the established sailing clubs. It has currently sold some 3500 in only 9 months, of which some 500-600 are in the UK. A good proportion of these have been sold to dinghy sailors who show an interest, and the price makes the boat irresistible.

Current Model Yachtsmen still dominate the results, but by the later races of the afternoon, the racing was very close, with some classic starts.

There are currently 11 skippers who qualify overall.

The Dragon owners dearly want to outnumber the Lasers by the end of the series, and having doubled their entries so far, they may just do it!

By lunch, John Tushingham was leading with wife Liz giving him a hard time (as usual!) Tim Long and Graham Whalley were always there or thereabouts.

This proved to be the overall pattern, with an ever improving Graham Cornfield joining the party.

Day 4 Results:

Laser
1. Shaun Holbech (Fleetwood)
2. Dave Fowler (Kingsmill)
3. Adam Kissick (Blackpool and Fylde)
4. John Sharman (Keighley)
5. Peter Lansdale (Delph)

Dragons
1. John Tushingham (Keighley)
2. Graham Whalley (Manor Park)
3. Liz Tushingham (Keighley)
4 Tim Long (Llandudno)
5. Graham Cornfield (Blackpool and Fylde)

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

The next race in the series is Sunday 2nd March. Is it worth missing the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show I hear you ask? Go on the Saturday!