Laser World & European Qualifier at Pwllheli Sailing Club
by James Gray 11 Oct 2010 16:30 BST
2-3 October 2010
Thirty-two Laser standards made the trip to North Wales to compete in the first Autumn World and European qualifier. The sailors were greeted with an 18-20 knots southerly breeze with seas reaching 2 metres and the occasional breaking wave. Race officer Richard Date conducted proceedings, laying an outer loop course.
Three races were scheduled for day one. The racing was dominated by the sailor’s ability to firstly overcome the physicality challenge posted by the conditions, and secondly, the ability to get off the line cleanly from the port end of the line, protecting the left hand side of the course. Nick Thompson (2nd World Championships 2010) signalled his intent with a dominating display from the front of the pack, taking race wins in races 1 and 3, and having to settle for 2nd in race 2 when local hero Eifion Mon stole victory from Thompson on the final run of race 2.
Five heavyweights controlled the regatta; Thompson out in front for the majority was pursued by Eifion Mon, Stuart Godwin, Greg Carey, and Alex Mills-Barton. Each sailor shared results in the top 5 as they strived for consistency on all legs of the course. Huge gains/losses were made on the downwind legs. With the run slightly skewed and precise boat handling required, positions weren’t guaranteed as some sailors found out, capsizing on the final downwind legs of the race.
Sunday greeted the sailors with zero breeze, and after a long wait it was decided to abandon racing for the day. Scores from Saturday stood with one discard from 3 races, handing Thompson victory.
Race 1: Thompson, Godwin, Carey, Mon, Mills-Barton
Race 2: Mon, Thompson, Godwin, Carey, Mills-Barton
Race 3: Thompson, Mon, Godwin, Carey, Mills-Barton
Overall Results: (top five)
1st Nick Thompson 2 pts
2nd Eifion Mon 3 pts
3rd Stuart Godwin 5 pts
4th Greg Carey 7 pts
5th Alex Mills-Barton 10 pts
The next World & European qualifier is being held at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on the 16/17 October. See you all there.
Full results on the UK Laser class website.