Laser Endurance Race at West Lancashire Yacht Club - Preview
by David Summerville 29 Mar 2007 10:24 BST
28 April 2007
On 28th April 2007, West Lancashire Yacht Club, the home of the 24 Hour Race, will be launching a brand new endurance race for Laser dinghies, in partnership with Phoenix Marine and Rooster Sailing. The inaugural 12 Hour Race is an exciting new opportunity for Laser sailors to compete in a true endurance race.
The race will be sailed on the relatively safe waters of the Marine Lake at Southport. With a minimum of 2 Laser sailors in each team, crew changes will be permitted during the race in a specially designated docking area. The 12 Hour Race will be sailed as a class race for Laser dinghies with any authorised rig (Standard, Radial and 4.7). Rig changes will also be permitted during the race.
The race will commence at 08:00 and the finishing gun will be at 20:00. Teams will be competing for The Phoenix Marine Trophy, for the overall winners, and there will also be prizes awarded to the first five teams, first Masters team, first Ladies team and first Juniors team.
West Lancashire Yacht Club have 40 years experience in organizing the legendary 24 Hour Race. It is anticipated that the 12 Hour Race for Lasers will become a pre-requisite on the Laser calendar. The focus will be on fun, and entertainment will be provided on the Friday and Saturday evenings, with camping available close to the venue. Notwithstanding the fun element, competition is expected to be fierce. Current Laser Radial Masters World Champion, Steve Cockerill is bringing a team from Stokes Bay, and former Laser National Champion Mike Budd is spearheading one of two teams entered by Leigh and Lowton. Also entered are a Dovestones team including Ian Jones, Northern Grand Prix circuit winner for the past 10 years.
Rooster Sailing will have their mobile shop on site for the duration, and have kindly agreed to supply some of the prizes. Phoenix Marine have generously agreed to supply the trophies.
The entry limit for the 12 Hour Race has been set at 70 teams, so any further interested teams will need to enter as soon as possible. Full details and entry form can be found at laser-12-hour-race.wlyc.org.uk