2015 Laser Midland Grand Prix
by Paul Williamson 11 Oct 2015 13:50 BST
11 October 2015
The final Laser Midland Grand Prix event at Stanton Harold © Hazel Williamson
The 2015 Laser Midland Grand Prix was characterised by winds at each end of the spectrum. Early in the season many of the events saw winds in excess of 20 knts with the single race sailed at Earlswood seeing well over 30 knots. However, at Draycote and Staunton Harold, sailors waited patiently for the wind to fill in, but did get some close racing in.
Special thanks should go to the series sponsors. Wildwind Holidays who have provided a sailing holiday to be raffled between all UKLA members who have entered the Grand Prix Series. Rooster Sailing who once again have supported the prizes enabling all of the qualifiers to go home with a prize. Finally thanks must go to Jeremy Higson who has replaced the very tired Youth Trophy.
The overall series results were not decided until the final open at Staunton Harold. At the start of the day one point separated each of the first three positions, Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold and Hayling Island) led from John Ling (Bartley) and Cameron Smith (Chelmarsh). With Craig sailing at the Hayling Island Solo open, it was up to John and Cameron to put in a good performance, however, the fickle wind and bunching at the marks, John and Cameron couldn't do enough to change the first three positions leaving Craig as the winner for the second year running.
Meanwhile there was an even closer finish in the Silver Fleet between Alex Homer (Midland) and Ellie Craig (Staunton Harold) who finished on equal points. But Alex had some good results early in the season to win on count back. They also finished as first and second Youth. Paul Powell (Trimpley) was third in the Sliver Fleet and Jamie Cuxson (Earlswood) was the third Youth.
The high winds early in the season saw a number of Radials take to the water, the early leader of the Radial Fleet was Andy Allan (Trimpley), however, he was one event short of qualifying in the Radial and it was Ellie Craig who took the Radial prize, With Harrison Bradbury-Knight (Trimpley) second and Paul Moughth-Leay (Staunton Harold) third.
Finally the Masters category was well represented, with John Ling being first for the second year running. Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold) who has just become Grand Master was second and Andy Allan third.
Overall Results:
1: Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold and Hayling Island)
2: John Ling (Bartley)
3: Cameron Smith (Chelmarsh)
4: Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold)
5: Joe Scurrah (Carsington)
Radials
1: Eleanor Craig (Staunton Harold)
2: Harrison Bardbury-Knight (Trimpley)
3: Paul Moughth-Leay (Staunton Harold)
4: Rebecca Grimshaw (Staunton Harold)
Silver Fleet
1: Alexander Homer (Midland)
2: Eleanor Craig (Staunton Harold)
3: Paul Powell (Trimpley)
4: Ian Davies (Trimpley)
5: Ryan Lettinga (Carsington)