Laser Midland Grand Prix Round 11 at Carsington Sailing Club

After a windless day the previous weekend at Hollowell which saw a reduced turnout, 32 boats arrived for the more promising 10knt forecast breeze at Carsington for round 11 of the Laser Midland Grand Prix. The event was sponsored by Laser Performance who supplied several prizes.

The wind direction allowed three triangle/sausage courses to be set. Early in the day the wind favoured those who used the windshifts to get to the right hand side of the beat such that by mid-afternoon most people headed this way. However, as the wind swung more to the right it stabilised giving a slight advantage to those who approached the mark on port. Ed Higson (Bartley) made the most of these conditions in the early stage of race 1 to lead from Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold), Rich Bennett (Staunton Harold) and Tim Lowe (Redesmere). Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold) gradually recovered from a lower position around the windward mark to join the leaders. Ed went further left than the pack to let Craig and Paul Williamson through to finish in this order. With Rich and Tim coming in 4th and 5th behind them.

The fleet spilt to both sides of the course for the first beat of race 2, the left looked favourable until the last third when the wind filled in and lifted from the right allowing Rich Bennett to round slightly ahead of Paul Williamson. Paul overhauled Rich on the first reach to lead until the final beat where Rich got the better of the wind shifts to regain the lead. However, Paul found slightly more boat speed on the run to give him the lead and the race. Rob Lennox (Barnt Green) was never far away from the leaders, but Craig Williamson suffering from his port tack approach to the windward mark went past Rob on the last lap almost taking 2nd place across the finish line. Ed Higson having also approached the windward mark on port recovered well to finish 5th.

After 2 races any of the Staunton Harold boats could have won. Craig Williamson and Rich Bennett quickly broke away from the fleet leaving Paul Williamson to watch how the race unfolded from some way behind. Craig managed to cover Rich up the final beat to win the race and the event. Behind them Cameron Smith (Chelmarsh) and Rob Lennox created a gap between them and the following boats to finish 3rd and 4th. Similarly Carsington sailors Jon Swain and Andrew Mcleish had their own local battle to finish 5th and 6th. This left Craig Williamson 1st, Paul Williamson 2nd, Rich Bennett 3rd, Ed Higson 4th and Ron Lennox 5th.

In the Radial fleet the final results couldn't have been closer with the first three boats all being on equal points. However, Alice Woodings from Carsington took first place based on countback, with Joe Scurrah (Carsington) 2nd and Eleanor Craig (Staunton Harold) 3rd. S Leiper was the first 4.7 rig.

The next event in the Laser Midland Grand Prix circuit is at Notts County on Sunday 6th July.

Results after Round 11: