Laser 2000 Training and Open at Chichester Yacht Club

The home Laser 2000 fleet gathered at Chichester YC on Saturday 24 July for a day of Race training in fabulous breeze and sunshine. Lead coach Pete Harrison lead a group of “Early Racers” whilst celebrity guest coach (and winner of CYC Laser 2000 open meeting in 2009) Huw Powell assisted Derek Jackman training more advanced techniques.

The open meeting on Sunday for the Idun Trophy saw a welcome increase in competitors from the home club. Two surprises in race 1. Club stalwart and ex 2000 sailor Roger Millett is still beaming after leading for most of the first lap, crewed by newcomer Mike Codey in Mike’s boat. In the light winds, CYC strong wind experts Team Muffin Top (Harrisons) took over the baton and built a decent lead. Sadly it was not to be. As the dice were rolled on the final beat, Harrisons chose left up the course for stronger breeze forcing visitors Cracker Jack(Hulley and Burridge) to go right for less tide. Right paid and Hulley took the win. Family Wade, snatched 2nd on the line. Hulley, Wade, Harrison, 1,2,3.

Race 2 and a better breeze. Race Officers Nick and Biddy Colborne simplified the course to an up and down sausage, with twin top marks. Muffin Top was not to be thwarted. After initial resistance from Jeff and George Chambers (CYC), Harrisons sailed away in the building breeze to take the bullet. Sexton and Harborne (Thopre Bay YC) in their ship Student Loan were 3rd. Hulley was buried in the pack. Could it be that a CYC boat would win the Open?

As the breeze built to a cracking force 3 to 4 in the last race of the day, Hulley shot out of the blocks, heading for glory. This time Harrison was buried and could only watch events unfold, but Wade was near the front. Youngsters Will Sloper and Katie Burridge sailed a blinder to follow Hulley home and dad Sloper with daughter Ellie slipped into 3rd. This denied Wade and promoted Sloper Junior/Burridge into Bronze, allowing Harrison to retain Silver. Wade slipped to 4th overall on countback.

Winner from 2009 new dad Powell was consistent in the top group, but race rusty, making schoolboy errors to finish 7th overall. Great, friendly racing, that was always close and messy amongst the top of the fleet. In an interesting experiment CYC introduced a “white sails” prize. Despite no spinnaker, two boats from CYC finished remarkably close to the leaders. Pete Osborne and Dawn Edwards finishing a creditable 9th overall, whilst Idun (team Cox, donators of the eponymous trophy) rounded out the top 10. Helen and Mark Green (CYC) won the Endeavour prize.

Rob (Dad) Burridge has won here many times, but this year stayed away and sent his family to pack the podium at CYC.

Overall Results:

1st Tim Hulley/Gemma(mum)Burridge (Weir Wood SC)
2nd Pete & Suzy Harrison (CYC)
3rd Will Sloper/Katie Burridge (WWSC)
4th Miles & Anderley Wade (ASA)
5th Graham Sexton Kristina Harborne (Thorpe Bay)
6th Jeff & George Chambers (CYC)
7th Huw & Sarah Powell
8th Andrew(dad) & Ellie Sloper (WWSC)
9th Pete Osborne & Dawn Edwards (CYC)
10th John & Pauline Cox (CYC)