Laser Open at Restronguet Sailing Club

Thirty six Lasers entered Restronguet Sailing Club’s Laser Open Meeting on Saturday 6 June, the best turnout for several years. The event was part of the South West Grand Prix series and attracted visitors from as far as Weston and Parkstone.

Whilst fresh winds were forecast, competitors were greeted by a light to moderate northerly wind which threatened to keep shifting as the rain clouds passed over the race area.

The largest fleet was the Laser Standard class with 19 entries, eleven of whom were from the home club. After a short postponement to relay the course, Race 1 got underway but six boats were caught OCS due to the flood tide. With 20 degree shifts sailors had to sail conservatively. Winner in Race 1 was Richard Horn from Weston SC.

The 13 strong Laser Radial fleet contained a few home grown local hot shot Youth sailors, Christian Townrow from Restronguet sailed well to take the first gun after his rival James Grant was caught OCS. The Laser 4.7 fleet, all of whom were from Restronguet was won by National Junior Squad sailor David Grant.

The wind dropped for Race 2 and became even more shifty causing several place changes upwind. A quick decision by the Race Officer to shorten the courses enabled all three fleets to finish in a dying breeze and building tide. Ben Cornish from Exe SC won the Standard fleet, Jon Couch from Torpoint won the Radial fleet and David Grant continued his winning streak in the 4.7 fleet.

Another postponement allowed time for the wind to back to a north westerly and build to a solid force 4-5. Richard Horn scored his second bullet to take the Laser Standard fleet. After a windward capsize on the run James Grant let the very experienced Mike Kinnear through to win the last race and with it the Laser Radial fleet. David Grant achieved a clean sweep to win the 4.7 fleet.

Results

Laser Standard Fleet:
1. Richard Horn Weston SC
2. Ben Cornish Exe SC
3. Robin Elsey RSC
4. Lawrence Sly RSC
5. Olly Turner Starcross YC
6. Steve Grant RSC
7. Roger Stabbins RSC
8. Neil Dunkley Saltash SC
9. Roeland Vroon RSC
10. Curtis Bell RSC
11. Tom Redgrave RSC
12. Tim Bowerbank RSC
13. Zac Hillier RSC
14. Richard Taylor RSC
15. Nick Carus Starcross YC
16. Geoff Taylor RSC
17. Nick Stoten Mounts Bay SC
18. Geoffrey Cox Parkstone SC
19. Bruce Adams Mounts Bay SC

Laser Radial Fleet:
1. Mike Kinnear Starcross YC
2. Christian Townrow RSC
3. Jon Couch Torpoint Mosquito SC
4. Dan Ellis R. Plymouth Corinthian YC
5. Simon Bennett Torpoint Mosquito SC
6. Harvey Davies RSC
7. Kate Sargent Saltash SC
8. Joanna Ireland RSC
9. James Grant RSC
10. Max Williams Starcross YC
11. Harry Houlding RSC
12. Anneliese Noakes Saltash SC
13. Jamie Bland RSC

Laser 4.7 Fleet:
1. David Grant RSC
2. Alice Burford RSC
3. Jan Vroon RSC
4. Christian Vroon RSC