Laser 4000 Eurocup on Lake Garda

Classic conditions at the Laser 4000 Eurocup on Lake Garda © Nick Kirk / N D K Photography

Classic conditions at the Laser 4000 Eurocup on Lake Garda © Nick Kirk / N D K Photography

Forty One Laser 4000s made the annual pilgrimage to the charms of Lake Garda and it didn't disappoint. Competitors were treated to its full repertoire of weather including a light Northerly Breeze, a huge day of 25 - 30 knots, sunshine and thunderstorms.

Although the racing didn't start until Wednesday, such is the attraction of the venue there were already 20 boats in the dinghy park by Sunday morning. And that was before Sandy McPhail arrived towing 6 boats behind the most outrageously huge truck ever to grace a dinghy park.

When racing did get underway in the classic force 4 and sunshine the fleet was strangely reticent on the start line. This allowed the ever alert Pete Barton sailing this week with Martin Borrett to take full advantage and flip onto port straight towards the cliffs never to be seen again. Not bad for their first ever race together. They then followed this up with another bullet in the second race and already things were looking ominous for the rest. However a 6th in race 3 meant that he only finished the day one point in the lead as Doug & Hillary Baker sailing Preffered International had three 3rds. Doug having spent the day munching through the fleet "Packman" style after his habitual poor starts.

The second day of racing really was a big one as it was already blowing 20 knots as everyone launched. By the first beat of the first race it was at least 25 knots, With sunshine to match it was a fantastic days sailing and perfect for event photographer Nick Kirk to get some stunning shots of high speed sailing. It was noticeable how the equalisation system allowed the lightweights to compete so well at the front. Jamie McEwan and Jo Sutcliffe, light enough for maximum racks very nearly won a race and recorded 4,5,4 for the day on their way to 8th overall. Greg Eaton and CC Summerhayes were thoroughly enjoying the breeze as well and recorded Greg's first ever Laser 4000 race win in race 4. This result was backed up with a string of top 10 results, which took them to an excellent 5th overall. At the front of the fleet Both Pete Barton and Doug Baker had a DNF. Hilary fell overboard with the spinnaker up in the first race and it took a long time to swim back to the boat. It didn't do them too much harm though as they came straight back to win the next race. Strangely given the conditions this was their only win of the week. Pete suffered a broken main halyard in the second race but a 1 and 2 in the other races meant that he stretched out his overall lead. Despite the strength of the wind, 33 boats completed the third race of the day, an excellent testimony to the quality of the boat and the standard of sailing throughout the fleet.

Just as the weary fleet looked forward to an easy run home after the last race the elements decided they had other ideas. A 35 knot rain squall came racing down the valley above the club causing an abrupt 180 degree wind shift and a difficult, wet, beat home. Even Garda isn't perfect!

The rain and thunder continued into the next morning so although it was sunny by 9am it was too late for the thermal breeze to build. Only one race was sailed in a light and tricky Northerly. This was won by a large margin by Mark Richards and Jetske Roodvoets. This was their second win of the event and at this stage, they were serious contenders for victory. A 3rd place ahead of both Barton and Baker in the first race of the final day looked promising. Poor first beats in the final two races put paid to their chances however and they eventually finished 4th overall. Second in this race were Hugh and Helen Watson who, despite some good performances in the breeze had a string of poor starts and first beats to only just beat Andy Palmer-Felgate to 6th overall. Andy, sailing with Jon Modral, had a most bizarre event where he couldn't seem to decide if he preferred the front or the back of the fleet and seemed intent on trying both regularly.

Into the final day and the sun and wind were back. A very sunny day and a 12-15 knot breeze set the scene for the final shootout. Pete Barton led from Doug Baker but still had work to do to seal the event. In truth there was little drama as both boats had a reasonable day meaning there was little change between them leaving Pete to win an event he had led from the first race. For many though, the performance of the week came from Helensburgh's Gemma Frier and Colin Greer who finished a fanatstic 3rd overall. Sailing one of the oldest 4000s in existence they continued the 4000 class's long tradition of top performances by Scottish teams. Starting the week with 6,5,7 their form built with their confidence and they upstaged the top two boats with a first and second on the last day. Watch out for them at the nationals in August.

Yet another Fantastic Garda event for the 4000 Fleet. Sun, wind, scenery, excellent turnout and 6 different race winners from 10 races. Make sure you are there next year!

Overall Results: