Laser Stratos Nationals 2004

Mike Beggs (right) and Julian Entwhistle of Lymington Town Sailing Club win the Laser Stratos nationals © Dave Gorringe

John Sallis unable to defend his 2001, 2002 and 2003 Titles; Mike Beggs tops the leader board; Doug Rivers wins the first race but is knocked out by a broken pintle; Stratos Keels have their day.

Lymington Town Sailing Club was pleased to welcome the Laser Stratos fleet for the National Championship 2004. The event, for the 16 Stratos competitors, was held as part of the Lymington Town Dinghy Regatta which also hosted the Wanderer Nationals and Wayfarer Southern Area Championships.

Race 1. Southerly wind of up to 20kts but gusty as it was coming from the Isle-of-Wight. Starboard end of the line was favoured, followed by a tack onto Port. First to the windward mark were Beggs and Julian Entwhisle closely followed by Doug Rivers and his two sons Chris and Michael. LTSC Commodore Simon Ward, normally an RS800 sailor 'guesting' in a Stratos, with Mike's crew from the 2003 Nationals, Amanda Eastwood, were third. This order was held for two laps but on the third Mike hit the windward mark and while doing a penalty turn Doug slipped into the lead which he held until the finish.

Race 2. In a strengthening Southerly the line had a strong Port bias, later acknowledged by the Race Officer to be due to the Start Boat dragging its anchor. Mike, making use of the bias, was again first to the windward mark followed by Doug but on the second downwind leg a gust of around 30 knots flattened the fleet including the Stratos keels. Mike recovered to maintain the lead but Brian George and Ian Vince got their Keel upright quickly and came through to second. Doug managed to catch and pass them on the last beat to regain second.

Race 3. After the end of Race 2 the weather deteriorated to rain squalls in about 25kts wind. Nothing daunted, the Race Officer started the sequence and this time the weather co-operated with improving visibility and a steadier wind with more West in it. Again Mike was first to the windward mark followed by Doug and Simon. This time the race was finished back up the river by the Club which brought in some exciting asymmetric tactics. Simon pressed Doug so closely that at the finish there was only an inch between them, with Doug getting the verdict.

Sunday's racing promised better weather but still a good 20 kts of wind. This time the wind was from the South West which meant it was steadier, but began to build through the day with the sea breeze increasing it.

Race 4. A square start line with the ebb tide behind got all away equally but disaster struck soon after the start when Doug's upper pintle pin broke. This wrenched off the lower pintle, bending it and removing all possibility of sailing again that day. The absence of the Doug team left the field open for Mike and Simon who again scored first and second, with James Thomas and Trevor Brown in third after their problems of the previous day.. Tim and Serena Davis brought their Keel in fourth. Race 5. As the tide turned to flood the favoured side of the course switched to inshore, but the wind increased. A screaming reach was followed by many a swim at the gybe mark. Unfortunately, with the shallow water several masts were rammed into the mud with resulting mast bends and retirements.

Race 6. Mike spotted a port end bias and crossed the fleet and held the lead back to the club. No-one dared fly their asymmetric as the wind gusted to over 27 kts (Force 7!). The biggest hazard was navigating between the upturned Wayfarers who had started 5 minutes earlier and were now fighting for survival. Tim and Serena got their Stratos keel through to second on the last weather leg but when tacking onto starboard for the mark didn't get the jib sheet off and suffered a knock-down, dropping to 4th while recovering.

John Sallis and family, National Champions for the last three years were missed by all competitors. This event was one for those who enjoy a blow as none of the racing was in less than Force 4.

At the Prizegiving, Trophies were awarded for the first three places, with excellent "goodies" supplied by the Laser Stratos Class Association. Also a special "Champion Swimmer" prize went to Simon Meadowcroft who, in going forward to clear the asymmetric, walked right off the front of his boat.

Thanks were expressed to Lymington Town Sailing Club, the Race officer Nigel Wallbank and the rescue teams who were kept busy. A special vote of thanks was given to the "Trolley Dollies" who met every boat on the slipway with their own trolley. Well done boys and girls!

Overall Results: