NeilPryde UK Laser National Championship at Largs Sailing Club - Day 1

Whilst the big boats competing in the Sevenstar Round Britain & Ireland race were postponed and the Merlin sailors in Looe were playing beach rounders because of Big Bertha the 150 Laser helms in Largs were kept ashore for lack of wind. Eventually in the early afternoon a Northerly breeze about 10-12 kts arrived to allow all three fleets to complete two races in a fine Scottish drizzle. All starts used a common trapezoidal course laid near Great Cumbrae.

There is a very healthy percentage of youth sailors in the Standard fleet this year and it was Ireland's youth sailor Dougie Power who took the first gun ahead of Alistair Goodwin & Anthony Parke. Jack Aitken, having finished 4th in Race 1, then showed the others the way home in the 2nd race to lead overnight.

Next away were the Laser 4.7 fleet and they also used the outer loop of the trapezoidal course but with a shortened windward leg. Nearly 40% of this fleet have made the trip across from Ireland and so it will be very interesting to see who wins out overall. The first race was a close run thing with the British pair Alex King & Aaran Holman just holding off the challenge from Ireland's Nicole Hemeryck. Aaran improved his place, by one, in the 2nd race whilst Alex had to be content with 3rd and 2nd overall.

With nearly 90 Radials entered the decision was made to split the fleet into two starts and race the first half of the week in a Round Robin format. If today's results are anything to go by this could be one of the most exciting week's racing for a long time. Each start had a different winner and at the end of the day three helms, Jon Emmett, Scotland's Jamie Calder & Ireland's Liam Glynn; were all tied on three points.

The Championship is being sponsored by Neil Pryde ably assisted by Harken UK as the equipment sponsors. Racing continues until Friday and with brighter conditions but stronger winds expected on Monday the fun has just begun.