Laser Open at Littleton Sailing Club

Lasers at Littleton © Vanda Jowett

14 standard and 11 radial rigged Lasers were greeted by 30mph gusts and big wind shifts for the Open Meeting at Littleton SC. No one was put off and as soon as the fleet had launched from the one leeward slipway race 1 was underway in slightly less breeze from the north east. Big shifts kept everyone on their toes and big gains and losses were available on the beats. After a couple of laps David Jessop from Papercourt passed the leading pack and quickly gapped them to finish the race with a comfortable lead. The chasing pack fought hard for the podium places with Nick Froud (Lymington) leading Ben Rolfe (Burghfield) across the line. Daniel Wigmore from Grafham was forth over the line in his radial, next radial was Will Birchell from Queen Mary then Andrew Everitt (North Herts).

Race 2 was started as soon as the committee boat was back in position with more breeze and bigger shifts. Several huge swings to the north west caught out many boats but the beats using most of the lake were just long enough to usually get a shift the other way. The broad reaches back down the lake allowing the less fit to have a short rest and also providing tactical options downwind. David once again pulled through to take the race win this time followed over the line by Ben and then Simon Hamment (Papercourt). Daniel was forth over the line once again easily leading the radial fleet from Will and Andrew again.

After a decent lunch break race 3 was the windiest of the day with gusts of 38mph recorded, although it didn't feel quite that windy on the water, plenty of boats capsized or were seen hopping out of their boats to prevent a windward capsize after a header. The antics started immediately after the start when a huge shift capsized 6 boats and sent others into irons and avoiding action. Up the front it seemed half the fleet were battling for the lead and after 2 quick laps Daniel took the gun in the radial relishing the conditions. He was followed by Ben, David and Nick in their full rigs. Andrew and Sarah Edwards (Ranelagh) took the remaining podium spots for the radial.

Race 4 started with 18 boats still racing which was great given the conditions. While the radial class was sewn up there was still a chance for Ben to take the standard class from David. The fleet were clean away again and both sides of the beat converged at the top mark leading to another large group of boats fighting closely for the podium places. Once again Daniel and David pulled a gap on the chasing pack who were fighting for every place with 3rd to 10th only decided on the last beat. Daniel took the gun followed by the full rigs of David, Simon and Dan Goodman (Littleton). Will and Andrew once again followed in the radials while Ben scored a DNF.

Overall Results: