RC Laser Summer Series Day 5 at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club
by Tony Wilson 14 Sep 2016 11:09 BST
11 September 2016
Seven skippers and guest skipper Fred Robinson attended the last of Fleetwood's RC Laser summer series.
The low turnout may have been because skippers that own other boats, may have been gaining brownie points staying at home in anticipation for the next super weekend, and to sail their DragonForce 65 or DragonFlight 95.
Fairhavens Northern Laser event for this same day had been posponed due to a massive weed problem, and to be later sailed at Burwain in a couple of weeks. Numbers may have been a problem as it's usually the same guys that visit each of these lakes.
On arrival I was very surprised to see that the rest of the lads had already mounted the A rig. This was soon to change for the majority as the Southerly was being masked by the roadside buildings to what was really out there as you ventured past the half way mark across the lake.
The first race was our usual shambles as non of us had really thought out the best use of the lake for course setting. Then after a bit of head scratching we decided on the pump house start position and head towards the main building. A figure of eight crossing that brought you back and repeat. So really we had very little walking as we were using this top end of the lake.
Eric Reid took the first 2 wins, being one of our club veterans at the young age of 78. How does he do it. He tells me he has been sailing since not long after he had learnt to walk. Some years and quite a few jibes to add up there then.
Garry Benson not too happy unfortunately had to withdraw just after the first race as he had major issues with his winch.
The next 2 races were won by Tony who had started from the beginning with his B sail so had it well trimmed by now.
John Plant (aka The Sneaky Prawn) then took race number 5. There really wasn't much between most of the guys, which makes for fun racing.
Tim Saam then needed a wee break as he could no longer keep his legs crossed, this led to our guest member Fred Robinson babysit Tim's Laser for 10 minutes. Rumour has it Fred has got his hands on a second hand Laser and is about to join us in the not to near future. John P. tells me he is a top IOM skipper and this was pretty evident as he led for the first lap of race 6. He dropped a couple of places when the Boathouse swirling wind caught him out. No doubt he'll return to give us all a kicking.This race was won by Peter Isles.
After an hour lunch break the wind veered and the force increased a little. Now we had a few C rigs in among the fleet. We reversed the course direction to head diagonally across the pond.
Tim had packed up sailing, so Garry was now able to use the spare club boat for the rest of the afternoon. Five of us all posted at least one win and I'm sure Garry would have joined us as he was well in the mix.
After 12 races sailed our Veteran Eric was the victor. Equal on 24 points with Tony and also 3 wins, but decided on countback for the number of second places.
Day 5 Results: (top 3)
1st Eric Reid
2nd Tony Wilson
3rd Peter Isles