Laser Midland Grand Prix Round 1 at Chelmarsh Sailing Club
by Paul Williamson 24 Mar 2015 06:43 GMT
15 March 2015
Round 1 of the 2015 Laser Midland Grand Prix sponsored by Wildwind Sailing Holidays and Rooster Sailing attracted 31 boats to Chelmarsh Sailing Club. The forecast 16 - 22 mph forecast wind didn't appear but there was enough breeze to make the racing the closest seen on the circuit for many years.
The event was won by Rich Bennett from Staunton Harold who won all three races, Rich pulled out a 30 s lead by the end of the first race, but the finnish was much closer in races two and three. Cameron Smith (Chelmarsh), Rob lennox (Barnt Green), Keith Wilkins (Chelmarsh), Richard Coats (Chelmarsh) and Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold) all pushed Rich hard for the front slot throughout the day. Cameron, Rob and Richard were 2nd, 3rd and 4th in race 1. Alex Homer from Midland who had gradually improved throughout the 2014 season had his best result of the day in 5th place.
Race two saw a different leader on nearly every leg of the course. A capsize whilst leading spoilt Cameron's chances of winning the race, but eventually it was Paul followed by Rob and Keith who were 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The final race finally got away under a black flag after two recalls. There were two early casualties from this race with Rob being OCS and Keith capsizing at the windward mark. Again Cameron used his local knowledge to take an early lead. Paul managed to pull through to 2nd overhauling Guy Pearson (Upton Warren) and Steve Taylor (Chelmarsh). Paul and Cameron's close battle to the finish line for 2nd place gave Rich the chance to take his third victory of the day with Paul 2nd and Cameron 3rd. Guy and Steve finishing 4th and 5th respectively.
The Radial fleet had an entry of 10 boats which is encouraging to see so many out early in the 2015 season. Charli Lennox (Barnt Green) was 1st with Alison Taylor (Chelmarsh) 2nd and Harrison Bradbury-Knight (Trimpley) 3rd.
By the time of writing the 2nd event at Tamworth has taken place, Round 3 is at Earlswood on 29th March.
Overall Results:
Pos | Fleet | Rig | Sail No | Helm | Club | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Pts |
1 | | Laser | 172766 | Rich Bennett | Stanton | ‑1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
2 | Master | Laser | 197694 | Paul Williamson | Staunton Harold | (DNC) | 2 | 2 | 4 |
3 | | Laser | 204068 | Cameron Smith | Chelmarsh | 2 | ‑5 | 3 | 5 |
4 | Master | Laser | 192514 | Rob Lennox | Barnt Green | 3 | 3 | (BFD) | 6 |
5 | Master | Laser | 206874 | Richard Coates | Chelmarsh | 4 | 6 | ‑8 | 10 |
6 | Master | Laser | 206225 | Keith Wilkins | Chelmarsh | 6 | 4 | (DNF) | 10 |
7 | master | Laser | 192541 | Guy Pearson | Upton Warren | 7 | ‑13 | 4 | 11 |
8 | | Laser | 186067 | Alexander Homer | Midland | 5 | ‑7 | 7 | 12 |
9 | Master | Laser | 198155 | Steve Taylor | Chelmarsh | 8 | ‑9 | 5 | 13 |
10 | | Laser | 164734 | Lazaros Andronis | Midland | ‑12 | 8 | 6 | 14 |
11 | Lady | Laser | 159385 | Samantha Bunn | chelmarsh | 9 | ‑12 | 9 | 18 |
12 | Master | Laser | 174848 | Will Ranson | Chelmarsh | 10 | 10 | ‑11 | 20 |
13 | Master | Laser | 202293 | Paul Powell | Trimpley | ‑13 | 11 | 12 | 23 |
14 | Master | Laser | 164671 | John Kingsley | Chelmarsh | (DNC) | 14 | 10 | 24 |
15 | Master | Laser | 203970 | David Partridge | Chelmarsh | 11 | ‑15 | 14 | 25 |
16 | Lady | Radial | EST | Charli Lennox | Barnt Green | 16 | ‑19 | 13 | 29 |
17 | Master | Laser | 204178 | Julian Talbot | Chelmarsh | 14 | 16 | (DNC) | 30 |
18 | Lady Master | Radial | 204124 | Alison Taylor | Chelmarsh | ‑18 | 17 | 15 | 32 |
19 | Master | Laser | 164546 | Ian Davies | Trimpley | 17 | ‑18 | 17 | 34 |
20 | Youth | Radial | SLO | Harrison Bradbury‑Knight | Trimpley | 19 | ‑23 | 16 | 35 |
21 | | Radial | 134711 | Paul Moughin | Staunton Harold SC | 20 | ‑21 | 19 | 39 |
22 | Master | Laser | 180806 | Richard Lycet | Chelmarsh | ‑29 | 22 | 18 | 40 |
23 | Master | Radial | 201354 | Philip Deeley | Midland | 23 | (DNF) | 20 | 43 |
24 | Master | Radial | 132149 | Simon Yeomans | Tripley | 24 | 20 | (DNC) | 44 |
25 | Master | Laser | 178682 | Michael Dalziel | Trimpley | 21 | ‑25 | 25 | 46 |
26 | Youth | Radial | 200043 | Matthew Luxton | Staunton Harold | 22 | 24 | (BFD) | 46 |
27 | Junior | Laser | 174537 | William Gould | Carsington | 15 | (DNC) | DNC | 47 |
28 | Youth | Laser | 202430 | Ryan Lettings | Carsington | 25 | ‑26 | 22 | 47 |
29 | Lady | Radial | 207301 | Tracey Pope | Chelmarsh | 28 | ‑29 | 21 | 49 |
30 | Lady | Radial | JPN | Maria Roche | Chelmarsh | 26 | ‑27 | 23 | 49 |
31 | Master | Radial | 175791 | Phil Pimble | | 27 | ‑28 | 24 | 51 |