Laser South East Grand Prix at Bough Beech Sailing Club

Laser South East Grand Prix at Bough Beech © Debbie Maynard

Laser South East Grand Prix at Bough Beech © Debbie Maynard

Laser South East Grand Prix at Bough Beech © Debbie Maynard

Eighteen helms (eleven Standard, six Radial, and one 4.7) arrived early at our beautiful club on this still and murky morning. Their intent was warming to the heart. The BBSC Open has been held at the end of March for as long as most of us can remember; none of us had memories of it that did not include gales and busy safety boat crews. For once, the forecasts, at least those from a few days before, had suggested we might see ideal sailing conditions, but what we got was very light airs with winds coming mainly from the north-east, never more than force 1, and for most of the day quite a bit less than that. Huge credit must go, then, to those who, undeterred, not only glided forth for the first race, but stayed for the three races that conditions allowed and a determined race team delivered.

Of course, sailing in light airs requires great skill, control, patience, and surprising grace. These qualities were displayed in abundance by Elliott Marks (Bough Beech) whose first place in all Radial races is ample proof; and displayed to an only slightly lesser extent by Dave Goddard (Weir Wood) who was second in the third Standard race, but first in the other two. Great credit, too, goes to Alex Head (Downs SC) for his three first places in the 4.7 (and none to be lost by noting that his was the only 4.7...).

In the Radials, Elliott Marks and Tulloch Priest (Bough Beech) enjoyed a rivalry as fierce as conditions would allow over races 1 and 2. Elliott's superb consistency, Tulloch's slippage to 5th place in race 3, and Peter Howe's determination (a great grand master taking second place in race 3) produced an atmosphere which, whilst not exactly exciting, could hold the interest of the determined observer.

In the Standards, Dave Goddard was denied a perfect three firsts by the almost flat calm that descended during the third race, that and the skill and experience of Lee Goodey (Broadstairs) and Rob Cage (Thames) who won that decider.

Laser South East Grand Prix at Bough Beech - photo © Debbie Maynard

This event was the first in the 2018 SE Grand Prix and we look forward to seeing how the helms competing here will feature in the Grand Prix results. Next year's BBSC event will also be part of the SEGP, but it won't be the first: in the hope of better sailing weather, it's been moved to May (May 4th). We can't guarantee the weather, of course, but we can guarantee lovely countryside in full spring, the same high level of organisation and efficiency and a very warm welcome to all those who come along.

Standard Results:

Radial Results:

4.7 Results:

1st, 204965, Alex Head, Downs SC