Laser Open at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club

Someones glad they got the overlap during the Island Barn Laser Open © Jim Champ

Why its best not to tack in the zone during the Island Barn Laser Open © Jim Champ

Twenty-six Lasers, including 19 full rigs, turned out at Island Barn Reservoir for a Thames Valley Region Grand Prix event. The wind was as forecast - a westerly force 4, dropping to force 3 in the afternoon.

The race officer, Andy Groves, set a triangle-sausage course, with a long start line. The competitors faced the choice of possible lifts up the right hand side of the reservoir or a little more pressure up the middle. After an over-enthusiastic attempted start to Race One, the race officer resorted to the threatened black flag. James Skulczuk then chose the best way up the beat, opening a comfortable gap that he maintained for the rest of the race. After a close battle, Gary Bullock (a previous open winner here) and John Peck picked up second and third. Further back in the fleet the windward mark saw several collisions (some captured in photos) as some port tackers failed to find a sufficient gap on the starboard layline!

With the black flag in place again for Race Two, James and Gary took an early lunch. John Reay took the opportunity gaining four places on a great second beat for him. He was followed home by Peter Roberts and Simon Hamment.

After a well-earned break, James again led Race Three all the way round, followed this time by Chris Nash and Adrian Ellwood who both had a good start and covered the chasing pack well up the tricky beats.

With the wind dropping a little, Race Four got underway. Andrew Kerr got the shifts right and popped out at the top mark in first place and held on all the way round. James and Neil Davies took second and third.

Overall, it was a convincing win for the James Skulczuk who, as well as being fast, showed some skill in dominating some very experienced sailors. There was great competition for the other places, with no other sailor managing to score two top three places. John Reay's consistency earned him second overall, followed by Andrew Kerr in third and Neil Davies fourth.

Event winner James Sculczuc storms down a reach during the Island Barn Laser Open - photo © Jim Champ

After the racing, the tired sailors after 3 hours of racing enjoyed IBRSC's traditional cream tea.

Overall Results: