Laser Open at Bowmoor Sailing Club
by Chris Backhouse 30 Mar 2009 08:23 BST
29 March 2009
A great turnout for the Bowmoor Laser open © Margaret Hing
A cold day with little wind greeted the 2009 Bowmoor Laser Open. The weather forecast maybe put a few off attending the first event of the Wessex Grand Prix Laser Series. Despite this 28 Laser sailors entered and enjoyed the spring sunshine. The breeze in the morning was very light and patchy on the lake with huge direction shifts.
Race 1 got away in very light 2-3 knot winds which died away shortly after the leaders reached the first mark. John Ling quickly established a useful lead chased by 18 year old Alistair Lucas and the “well over 18 year old” Derek Page. The competitors skill at roll tacking and light winds conditions determining their positions on a challenging beat. The wind filled in in light patches and Charles Chandler made progress to overtake Alistair Lucas. The leaders were chased by Bowmoor’s Mike Hing and Oxford’s Dave Rollinson, masquerading as an American representative with a second hand sail. Despite the variable conditions John Ling showed his skill by maintaining a good lead even though his boat slowed to a stop occasionally as the wind expired. He won the race followed by Charles Chandler 2nd with Alastair Lucas 3rd.
Race 2 got off to a more optimistic start in 5 knot winds after a decent lunchtime breeze. John Ling again established a lead on a long start beat with Bowmoor’s Rick Plummer and Iain McKeeman also showing early, chased by Llandegfedd’s Charles Chandler. The race officer had spent some time establishing a good first beat and the effort was repaid with lots of options for the competitors. The wind then dropped again making very difficult conditions for the second beat. In this situation Charles Chandler made progress to take 2nd and Bowmoor’s light wind wizard Derek Page took 3rd. John Ling fairly easily maintained his lead to too easily win the whole event with a race to spare. Iain McKeeman was 4th and Rick Plummer 5th.
Having already won the event John Ling relaxed a little on the start line of race 3 and Bowmoor’s Jane Robertson, Rob Napier and Alastair Lucas all beat him to the first mark. Jane maintained a useful lead over the first lap as Rob Napier and John Ling battled for third place in about 5 knots of wind. At the end of the first lap a major hitch occurred as the first 3 boats were led around the final mark the wrong way by the lead boat. A small group of chasing boats realised the mistake after doing the same thing but went back to avoid potential disqualification. The race became effectively 2 races: Jane Robertson being chased by John Ling and Alastair Lucas. Further back the leading correct course boats were Iain McKeeman, Derek Page, Dave Rollinson and Frampton’s Mike Tully. Derek Page crept ahead until a massive wind shift on the final beat gave the race to McKeeman followed home by Rollinson and Page. The 3 incorrect course boats agreed to retire, luckily that did not affect the whole events positions.
Overall Results:
1st John Ling (Upton Warren)
2nd Charles Chandler (Llandegfedd)
3rd Iain McKeeman (Bowmoor)
1st Youth, Alastair Lucas (Avon/Bowmoor)
1st Radial, Chris Brann (Castle Cove)
1st Master, Derek Page (Bowmoor)