Laser SE Grand Prix Series Round 1 at Bough Beech Sailing Club
by Jonathan Costley 9 Apr 2015 16:58 BST
4 April 2015
With a forecast of extremely strong winds forecast for the morning which were likely to increase later on in the day there was never going to be a large turnout amongst those lacking a masochistic streak.
As it was a surprising number turned up, with 33 boats taking to the water for the first race, and while some failed to make the actual start and a few took some time to adjust to the strength of the gusts, 15 Standards started on an excellently laid line by RO Richard Hudson. This was followed 5 minutes later by 12 Radials and 6 4.7s.
There were some drop-outs during the first race with only 10 finishing in the standard. This race was won by Andrew Kerr (BBSC), who went on to repeat this performance for the rest of the day. Amongst the others there were some erratic results with the award for consistency going to Dave Goddard (WWSC) and Neil Peters (PBSC), who made third and second places by a very narrow margin between them.
During the first race the Radials caused some amusement for those watching by following their leader the wrong way round the bottom mark, and while this was visually confusing, they managed to sort themselves out without protest(s) before coming through the line. However once they had learned the correct way round the track they made few mistakes after that
Two races in the morning were followed by another two in the afternoon with 23 boats racing hard in surprisingly reduced wind strength.
During the third race the radials appeared to be so intent on racing/covering each other up the left that they appeared to allow the 4.7s to take a better route up the first beat, and both fleets arrived at the mark at the same time, with some of the smaller rigs maintaining their positions on the off wind legs.
Weir Wood took the 4.7s through James Scott, Harry Tucker and Millie Hopkins.
Radials: Elliot Marks (BBSC) Rob Cage (also 1st Grand Master), and Martin Brooking (both from BVSC).
Standards: Andrew Kerr (BBSC), Neil Peter (Pevensey), Dave Goddard (Weir Wood).
Prizes were awarded to four of the Master categories in the Standard and Radial classes.
Immense gratitude must be given to the RO Richard Hudson and his team, who made the day by laying good courses and lines, as well as thanks to the safety crews who were kept busy throughout the day, supporting those swimming or managing the occasional breakage.