Whitstable Yacht Club LaserFest '17

by Steve Gray 18 Jul 2017 11:29 BST 15-16 July 2017

LaserFest was conceived as a weekend of tight Laser racing and great socials with the objective of getting as many WYC Lasers on the water as possible. Looking back on a great weekend of racing, an amazing BBQ and some amusing banter its mission was accomplished – and in some style.

With a turnout of 38 boats over the two days, we welcomed 6 visitors to add to 32 WYC boats – the envy of some of our other club fleets. PRO Mark Barnes ran a tight ship (least said about the last race) with long accurate courses to take on Saturday's brisk conditions and shorter challenge to match Sunday's softer breeze.

Laser Fest '17 at Whitstable - photo © Katerina Kelly

The first race was a bruiser out in the bay – home boats were stunned to see the radials of Jeff Loosemore from Australia and semi-local Rob Cage giving the best standard rigs a hard time. Jeff comfortably led home B14 sailor Simon Hadley and Nigel Brown to lay the marker down with thrills and spills throughout the fleet.

There was no let-up in the conditions for the 2nd race with the radials again making a strong start together with Fireball (and local Laser) sailor 'young' James Goodfellow leading to the first mark. With a twist in the wind and strong tide much of the fleet overstood the 1st mark meaning that those taking the direct route prospered but Jeff managed to bag another win from James with Nigel adding a further 3rd to boost his chances.

Laser Fest '17 at Whitstable - photo © Katerina Kelly

Broken bodies returned to the beach grateful to the shore crew for help with trollies, to Christina Brewer and team for a great BBQ and the assembled Lasers for the company, ending with renditions of Spice Girls songs – can't think why James!

An earlier start time of 13.00 saw a softer breeze and a course well out in the bay. With an incoming tide under the fleet and a much shorter course (was the first beat really the length of Saturday's start line Mark?) it was going to be interesting. Queue deja-vu from race 2 as many overstood the first mark having got a little too enthusiastic of their leeward end starts and forgotten to tack. First round was Steve Gray followed by 'Young' James and Nick Stephens; all standard rigs from WYC. Despite some big shifts which led to a lopsided beat and a very reachy run the James took the win from Steve and Nick – but note that 4th was taken by Niall Martin WYC's very own Canadian ex-pat. So where were the bandit radials? Jeff managed 10th, an amazing result in the light conditions and Rob was judged OCS – a little harsh perhaps?

Laser Fest '17 at Whitstable - photo © Katerina Kelly

The breeze faded a little for the last race and twisted just before the start to allow both ends of the line to tack and lay the first mark on port (that's if you could tack and get a clear lane fast!). Bill Edmondson from the home club led round from Niall Martin and WYC class captain and event organiser 'Pukka' Pete Gowing. After a slightly processional race Niall took the win from ex-WYC Commodore Andy Jackson and Peter Gowing.

We were privileged to recently receive a legacy from long time WYC and international Laser sailor Peter Raymer, and his trophy was awarded to the best WYC boat by his son John.

When the sums were done it was apparent that youth had triumphed with James Goodfellow the most consistent in both strong and lighter conditions to become overall winner and 1st WYC boat – well done Baby Spice!

Runner up was Niall Martin thanks to his 4,1 on day 2 pushing Nigel Brown down to 3rd with radial Jeff Loosemore taking 4th – we are glad he's joining WYC so we can learn just a few of his secrets (and get trashed again).

Prizes were awarded throughout the fleet with special awards for first lady, Ruth Oliver, first cadet radial Tom Oliver and especially for 10 year old Christopher Marsh from Thailand who finished every race in his 4.7.

Laserfest 17 was a successful event on every level – 38 boats was above expectations, and so great to see WYC Lasers who've struggled to race this year due to family commitments having a go at big fleet racing. Let's hope it stimulates even better turnouts for the rest of the season and encourages the rest of WYC to do the same.

For those who don't know Whitstable it's the best estuary sailing in Kent with strong fleets of Lasers, cats, Merlins and Tasers – if you fancy taking the challenge please contact WYC on 01227 272942 or visit wyc.org.uk/contact

Overall Results:

Pos	Helm	Sail No	Rig	Club	Age	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1	James Goodfellow	192742	STD	WYC	31	4	2	1	5	7
2	Neil Martin	179947	STD	WYC	35‑45	6	9	4	1	11
3	Nigel Brown	210359	STD	WYC	46‑55	3	3	5	8	11
4	Jeff Loosemore	207357	Radial	WYC	56+	1	1	10	18	12
5	Steve Gray	197717	STD	WYC	56+	8	4	2	9	14
6	Andy Jackson	172568	STD	WYC	46‑55	11	10	6	2	18
7	Nick Stephens	191114	STD	WYC	56+	7	12	3	14	22
8	Peter Gowing	198535	STD	WYC	46‑55	13	7	16	3	23
9	Simon Hadley	174917	STD	WYC	46‑55	2	33	9	13	24
10	Rob Cage	206504	Radial	WYC	56+	5	5	40	17	27
11	Christian Brewer	3110	STD	WYC	56+	9	8	11	12	28
12	Kevin Hall	185653	STD	WYC	46 to 55	10	6	13	19	29
13	Mark Grinter	186022	NA	WYC	56+	12	15	18	10	37
14	Bill Edmondson	208216	STD	WYC	56+	17	14	40	6	37
15	Paul Kelly	183125	STD	WYC	46 to 55	19	13	14	20	46
16	Chris Jarret	195226	STD	WYC	35‑45	27	40	12	11	50
17	Mike Oliver	179746	STD	WYC	56+	21	40	15	15	51
18	John Silk	165310	STD	WFSA	46‑55	40	40	8	4	52
19	Jonathan Bentman	173360	STD	BSC	46 to 55	22	18	17	25	57
20	Ruth Oliver	115387	Radial	WYC	20	16	19	24	28	59
21	Edward Poet	187150	STD	WYC	35‑45	23	20	19	21	60
22	Mark Holweger	208326	STD	WYC	46‑55	40	40	7	16	63
23	Tony Clements	204549	STD	WYC	46‑55	26	40	20	22	68
24	Peter Heyes	192813	Radial	WYC	56+	24	24	22	24	70
25	Nick Hawkins	192840	STD	WYC	56+	20	11	40	40	71
26	Rien Zilvold	18602	Radial	WYC	56+	15	16	40	40	71
27	John Sinclair	174574	Radial	WYC	56+	18	17	40	40	75
28	Christopher Marsh	208996	4.7	WYC	10	29	23	26	29	78
29	Tom Oliver	154760	Radial	WYC	Under 18	30	40	23	26	79
30	Roy Loveridge	164571	STD	WYC	35‑45	40	40	21	23	84
31	Kevin Tolson	184334	Radial	WYC	56+	25	21	40	40	86
32	Jamie Pope	175672	STD	WYC	35‑45	14	33	40	40	87
33	Charlie Campion	197150	STD	WYC	56+	40	40	40	7	87
34	Ali Nicolson	120520	Radial	WYC	35‑45	28	22	40	40	90
35	S Luckhurst	42712	STD	WYC	35‑45	40	40	25	27	92
36	Jon Ducker	125733	Radial	WYC	35‑45	40	40	27	40	107
37	Oliver Bayes‑Shelton	174542	STD	WYC	27	31	40	40	40	111
38	Sally Newcombe	183304	Radial	WYC	46‑55	40	40	40	40	120
39	John Kelly	129888	STD	WYC	56+	40	40	40	40	120