Northern Laser Grand Prix Series at West Riding Sailing Club

Northern Laser Grand Prix at West Riding prize winners (l to r) Adrian Sandilands, winner Ian Jones, Robert Holmes and Tim Keighley © Jonathan Gledhill

Despite the fuel scare and it being All Fools Day twenty one Lasers, including eleven visitors from nine clubs, turned up for the West Riding SC leg of the Northern Laser Grand Prix Series. The forecast was unhelpful and early arrivals were greeted by 6 degrees C and no wind, but by the time the 11.00am start came around a pleasant breeze had set in, although competitors found it very variable in strength and direction.

Ian Jones started of where he left off last year by rushing into an early lead in the first race, holding it to the end and pursued in vain by Adrian Sandilands, Busby, and Robert Homes, with Ian Eskritt and Hamish Gledhill 5th and 6th.

After Stephanie's French cooking had been enjoyed in a languid lunch on the clubhouse deck, competitors were exercised with two back-to-back races in the afternoon. Robert Holmes and Hamish Gledhill fought it out at the top of the fleet in the second race, with the lead swapping back and forth in the shifty wind. Ian Jones stalked them in third place and at one time managed to sneak into second place before slipping back to settle for third. Holmes managed to prevail over Gledhill to take the second race win. Tim Keighley took fourth place from Adrian Sandilands, and Graham MacWhirter.

The final race started in what looked like a building wind with serious hiking off the start line, but even so some big shifts caught the unwary, including Ian Jones who rounded the first mark in an uncharacteristic 7th place. Meanwhile Robert Holmes shot into what looked like an unassailable lead only to see it eroded by Adrian Sandilands, Tim Keighley and eventually the fast climbing Jones who took the lead. Holmes compounded his misfortunes by falling in and dropping to 5th. Jones also fell in on a beat but rapidly recovered to take the win both in the race and overall. Tim Keighley finished the race second from Adrian Sandilands, Busby, Holmes and Ian Escritt.

The day ended with the prize giving, at which competitors were reminded of West Riding SC's Double Diamond Jubilee Regatta to be held on May 26th/27th to celebrate the club's 75th anniversary.

Overall Results: