RC Laser TT at Medway RC Laser Club

RC Laser TT at Medway © Leslie Willson

RC Laser TT at Medway © Leslie Willson

RC Laser TT at Medway © Leslie Willson

Medway RC Laser Club welcomed sailors to Barton Point Coastal Park for the UK RC Laser Association Open Meeting. The sailors, made up of two visitors and seven locals, were greeted with a misty morning and a NE wind approx. Force 4. The forecast was for the wind to swing gradually into the East and possibly increase in strength.

The Race Officer, Tim Townsend set a standard triangle and sausage course for all the races. The first race got underway with everyone on "B" rigs. A single start was adopted with the fleet behaving well all day.

Shifting wind up the beat, particularly around the Café near the windward mark, made for gains and loses for all. Mark roundings were usually ordered and rules observance good. The first race was won by Jamie Blair (51), 2nd Adrian Tomlinson (30) and 3rd Bryan Collings (013). Subsequent races were with either Jamie or Adrian in first spot with Bryan remaining consistent throughout the morning.

The morning continued generally with the same course and after Race 7 C Rigs were brought out and remained for the whole day as the wind hit 17kts. Ten races were sailed prior to the lunch break and after lunch the course was rotated almost through 90 degrees making the line of sight somewhat long distance depending on where people stood.

At this stage Adrian Tomlinson was ahead of Jamie Blair and Bryan Collings third. So all still all to play for and with a fine lunch from the lakeside Café we resumed giving twenty races in all for the day. John Park (05) provided some additional rescue support wading in to some of the soft spots around the lake!

Adrian Tomlinson with a consistent run all day discarding a 5th, a 7th and a 3rd claimed top spot, with Jamie Blair in second having had a servo failure and a top section failure in the last race. Bryan Collings local sailor remained consistent throughout remaining 3rd. Roger Atkins (977) our furthest distance visitor from Droitwich despite the lack of practice went home happy with race results of 2nd and 3rd. Tony Alexander (04) our Mr Consistent in 4th retaining this badge with string of good results. Andrew Nicholls (13) got better and better as the day progressed.

Frances Tomlinson presented prizes to the podium finishers and the UK RC Laser Association provided a trophy for the winner to add to his collection!

The new venue proved a hit for all and with the expertise of Robert Owens as RO and his team of Race Angels (Fiona Blair and Francs Tomlinson) the sailors had a wonderful and competitive days racing. Thanks to Les Wilson for some exciting photos he took after retiring from the event with damp electrics.

Overall Results:

RC Laser TT at Medway - photo © Leslie Willson