Laser2000 Nationals at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club Day3

by Chris Jordan 9 Aug 2011 22:34 BST 6–12 August 2011

The great thing about the Laser 2000 is how everyone quickly learns how to rig it: hoist the jib THEN undo the forestay and stow it away. So when rigging on the beach and there is a shout followed by a loud crash, the fleet knows someone has done things in the wrong order: but surely not last year's Champion?

The Race Committee from South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club led by Tim Little excelled again, with a decent long line with no noticeable bias to the mean wind direction. The wind was back to a great force 3-4 from the NW with 15-20 degree shifts: enough to give everyone that, "I am doing very well... Oh no I'm not!" feeling. The fleet all said that today provided really excellent close racing in the 2011 Laser 2000 National Championships, sponsored by Harken and Laser Performance - but they are looking forward to recovering and site-seeing on the lay day tomorrow.

In Race 5, Graham Sexton/Kristina Harbonne led the fleet into the first mark, closely followed by Fergus Barnham/Harriet Morris and Chris/Gill Jordan. Down wind getting the gusts, waves AND wind shifts correct required great skill - or lots of luck. Graham/Kristina showed the skill for 3 laps before Jasper/Laura Barnham grabbed the lead when it mattered, with Dave Adams/Amy Hulley chasing in 3rd place.

Lining up for Race 6, there was a lift on starboard with 1 minute to go: which allowed the fleet to push forward with 4 or 5 boats pushing too far. Approaching the windward mark on the starboard lay line (as learnt in the previous race) was the right thing to do: except this time there was a 30 degree lift on port. All the leading boats got buried, with 1 or 2 parking themselves on the buoy unable to tack clear, while others had to gybe around at the last moment. Steve McCulloch/Nicky Thomas got it right and held the lead until the end of the final run, when they let Graham/Kristina slip through to take the win, with Matt/Clare Sargeant in 3rd place.

The closeness of the racing across the top 20 boats in the fleet was well demonstrated by Tim/Linda Hulley with a 4th and 19th: towing the Sidmouth Pecker behind the boat is not always a winning strategy! Dave Adams/Amy Hulley had a 3rd and a 16th: the balloons celebrating his birthday obviously became distracting after a while.

Results after Day 3: (top six, 6 races)

1st Dave Adams & Amy Hulley, 2145, Suck it and Sea
2nd Graham Sexton & Kristina Harbonne, 2240, Almost There
3rd Matt & Clare Sargeant, 21558, Gunner No. 1
4th Jasper & Laura Barnham, 2042, Fen Tiger
5th Steve McCulloch & Nicky Thomas, 2491, Ickynoo
6th Chris & Gill Jordan, 22116, Blue-It