Laser 2000 Millennium Series at Weir Wood Sailing Club
by Andrew Sloper 7 Jul 2010 08:10 BST
3-4 July 2010
Thirty boats gathered for the fourth Millennium Series event; four races per day, held in very differing conditions over the weekend. Competitors were pushed to the limits, especially in the frequent gusts on Sunday, with capsizes at all standards within the fleet.
The first race was won by local birthday-boy Rob Burridge and Katy, from Martin and Harry Wilson; second and third by John Holroyd and Jane Rusbatch,. Race 4 was taken by Elizabeth and Tim Fillmore, who sailed expertly in the lighter, variable and highly shifty conditions, to lie in third place overnight.
Saturday’s racing had been characterised by highly competitive sailing at the top of the fleet and the opportunity to find holes to park in, up and down the course. Unusually even Rob was affected, with four or five boats passing him at the last “leeward” mark, some with full kites others apparently beating to windward in the same direction.
Saturday evening was spent with a local covers band “Driftwood”, barbequed fish from the reservoir and a fine local ale. Sunday morning started with a bit of a panic as a sizeable oak-tree had fallen across the entrance to the club! This took a team of six people and two chainsaws 45 minutes to clear a path to let the competitors in.
Although the Race Officer (Martin Pascoe) was able to predict the wind direction the night before and set the course accurately 18 hours ahead of the start, the strength varied hugely, building throughout the day to peak around F5 gusting F6.
Rob and Katy claimed Race 5, Tim and Linda Hulley joined the fleet and made excellent starts, winning Race 6 and finishing in the top four all day. Race 7 was won by John and Jane, the last by Rob. Special mention should go to Sam Greg and Tim Russell from WWSC who sailed consistently throughout the event to finish in 6th and take 1st Youth and 1st Helm.
Overall Results:
1st Rob and Katy Burridge (WWSC) 9pts
2nd John Holroyd and Jane Rusbatch (WWSC) 12pts
3rd Elizabeth and Tim Fillmore (Draycote SC) 25pts
4th Martin and Harry Wilson (Datchet SC) 28pts
5th Miles and Anderley Wade (Army) 32pts
We would like to thank our sponsors, Laser Performance for generously sponsoring the class and providing £100 worth of tokens and an “out of the hat” prize. Noble Marin sponsor youth entries.