Laser Midland Grand Prix 2014 Rounds 2 & 3 at Tamworth & Earlswood

Laser Midland Grand Prix round 2 at Tamworth © Mike Homer

Laser Midland Grand Prix round 3 at Earlswood © Mike Homer

Laser Midland Grand Prix round 3 at Earlswood © Mike Homer

The conditions for Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2014 Laser Midland Grand Prix couldn't have been more different. Round 2 held at Tamworth was described at times by the sailors as survival whereas round 3 at Earlswood suffered through lack of wind due to the Easterly direction causing a wind shadow over the lake for most of the day.

Twenty two boats competed at Tamworth, which had a mix of Standard, Radial and 4. Rigs. Edward Higson (Bartley) followed on from his second place at Chelmarsh the previous week to win with two first places. Rich Bennett (Staunton Harold) finished in second place at his first event of this season's series after winning the third race. John Ling (Bartley) had two second places to take third place behind Rich.

In the Radial fleet, Jamie Cuxson from Earlswood was first for the second event in a row, with Matt Luxton from Burton second and Rebecca Grimshaw from Staunton Harold third. Only one 4.7 entered the event but Hayes (no Christian name available) finished a notable 15th out of the 22 boats.

Round 3 at Earlswood had twenty eight boats for the second year running making the start lines congested on such a small lake. The start line was set between transit poles located on the shore, with inner and outer limit marks through which all boats had to pass. Many of the fleet assumed that the limit marks were on the line which wasn't the case and led to several general recalls throughout the day. The event was won for the second year running by Rob Lennox from Barnt Green with two firsts and a second place. However, there were several leaders of the races throughout the day including, Andy Allan (Trimpley), Peter Newbery (Earlswood), Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold), Rod Theaker (Staunton Harold) and Edward Higson (Bartley) who finished in this order overall. Andy Allan made a fantastic comeback in race 2 from at one point being half the length of the lake behind the leader to win the race. Pete Newbery followed in a similar way to Andy after returning to the start line after wrongly believing he was OCS to finish third in the race.

In the Radial fleet, Eleanor Craig from Staunton Harold was first, Dan Peare and Ellie Boot both from Earlswood were second and third. Again only one 4.7 entered, this was Hannah Blunt from Barnt Green who came 24th which was an achievement considering the light conditions.

After 4 events of the 2014 Laser Midland Grand Prix sponsored by Wildwind Holidays and Rooster Sailing Edward Higson has a commanding lead with a first, second and 6th. Andy Allan has been improving consistently to lie second with Edward's father Jeremy lying third. Jamie Cuxson has swapped between his Radial and Standard Rigs to currently be in 4th place with John Ling in 5th. Round 4 takes place at Barnt Green on Saturday 12th April.

Series Results after Round 3: