Wessex Laser Traveller Series at Bowmoor Sailing Club
by Mike Dyer 20 Oct 2014 14:12 BST
18 October 2014
Wessex Laser Traveller Series at Bowmoor © Jamie Lavender
Traditionally the Wessex Laser Grand Prix Circuit starts each year at Bowmoor. This year, instead, Bowmoor hosted the final event and the series prizegiving. For the last few years club member Harry Joyce and former UKLA Chairman John Ling have shared ownership of the trophy.
It is not just the date that changed this year. On a blustery shifty day, half of the 24 entrants sailed with Radial rigs.
An eager start to the first race saw the fleet get away, but with 2 boats over the line. A tight first beat saw Ed Higson establishing an early lead, with Radial sailor James Cummins hot on his heals closely followed by Rick Plummer and John Ling.
James held off the full rigs through a long reach down to the other end of the lake. On the next lap Plummer and Ling managed to pull past, and held these positions until near the end of the race, when Chris Jenkins caught the group to claim third.
Ed Higson's dominance continued into the second race; Ed first, followed by John, with Richard Lymposs taking third. While the first two places were already decided, this order was repeated in the third race.
A clean sweep for Ed and allowing Richard to claim third place overall, by one point.
Main results
1st and Youth Prize Ed Higson (Bartley)
2nd John Ling (Bartley)
3rd and 1st Grand Master Richard Lymposs (Papercourt)
1st Radial Neil Crosby (Bowmoor)
1st Lady Fi Lucas (Bowmoor)
1st Great Grand Master Rick Plummer (Bowmoor)