RC Laser Winter Series at West Lancashire Yacht Club - Day 5

Sunday 2nd March saw the penultimate day's racing in the ND Winter Series. It clashed with the Dinghy Show, and a number of RC Skippers were there, either promoting the sport, or simply making a tour of the craft available.

RC Lasers

A good fleet of 19 Lasers turned out, and started in A rigs. These were quickly changed down, and the majority of the 10 races were sailed in C rigs. The weather made for a challenging day; it was cold enough to call coffee breaks, and wet enough before lunch to keep us out of the lounge (no wet gear allowed!) Shaun Holbech continued his good run of form, sharing 1st place at lunchtime with John Sharman. Shaun continued to show the way round, and comfortably won the event.

Not so easy for the next skippers. Close racing is the name of the game these days, and only one point divided each of the next three places. Skippers down to 6th place each managed at least one 2nd place.

RC Laser Results:

1st Shaun Holbech, 15pts
2nd Andy Kissick, 24pts
3rd Adam Kissick, 25pts
4th John Sharman, 26pts
5th Dave Fowler, 33pts

Dragons

With several of the Dragon stalwarts in London, they still managed 9 boats. Many of the same sail choices as the Laser had to be made, and racing is getting better each week sailed.

The Dragon fleet is in its infancy, but already some of the newbies are showing good boat speed.

Graham Whalley had a ding-dong battle with Tom Mills with Graham Cornford having a very good post-lunch.

Dragon Results:

1st Graham Whalley, 11pts
2nd Tom Mills, 15pts
3rd Graham Cornford, 25pts
4th Steven Sulllivan, 30pts

There was a free draw for sets of sails at the post-race prize giving. Graphite Sails provided an A rig for the Dragon, won by Tom Mills, and RCboatsUK provided a choice of either a C or D sail, won by Miguel Sandio.

Sunday 16th March sees the final days racing for both fleets, and a good turnout is expected. In the RC lasers there is one point separating 1st and 2nd with 3rd and 4th in a tie. Adam Kissick in 5th is close enough to upset skippers up to 3rd overall.

In the Dragons 1st place is untouchable, but 2nd to 5th have it all to fight for.

When you add the excellent luncheon package that West Lancs have put on, the good water etc. it's going to be good.

West Lancs have achieved yet another coup. Last weeks free draw for sails is to be repeated, with again Graphite Sails providing an A suit for the Dragons and RCboatsUK providing a choice of either C or D for the Laser. Thanks to both companies.

With a best turnout of 36 boats, this series has proved to be a major asset to Winter sailing in the North West. Both the classes being sailed have, in their own way, introduced a large number of interested dinghy sailors to the magic of RC sailing. If you saw the boats at the Dinghy Show, or have picked up an interest from the web, or even by watching some racing, you are invited to pop down to West Lancs to have a closer look. Somebody will put a transmitter in you hands and before you know it, it's going to cost you money!

Details of timing and full results to date can be flung if you Google fairhavenlasers.