Laser Northern Grand Prix Open at Redesmere Sailing Club

Redesmere Laser open © Peter Baldwin

Redesmere Laser open © Peter Baldwin

The second meeting in the Northern Area Laser GP for 2014 took place at Redesmere SC. Competitors were greeted with sun and wind as they arrived this year, which is a change from recent years where little wind has been seen and two events had to be abandoned with no races sailed. The wind was however from the NE, which is notoriously difficult and frustrating due to the large wood upwind of the open water leading to large shifts and gusts that can occasionally capsize the unwary.

A total of 5 visitors joined the 7 home boats, for a slightly delayed start of the first race and an opportunity to enjoy the sunshine. There was plenty of discussion about what to wear as although the sun was out, would we get rain? Many subsequently found out that they were over-dressed and so at lunchtime layers were shed and even shorts were seen!

The first race got under-way with a clean start in 7 knots of breeze with gusts of 12 knots, with one retirement even before the start due to a broken tiller extension. Oliver Davenport took an early lead and pulled away from Tim Lowe and Alan Mason. Lowe overtook Davenport soon afterwards and held this lead for only a lap, as overcrowding at the final mark, let Davenport through to lead again and also allow Andrew Robinson through to third place. By the end of lap three saw the leading positions reversed again and Trevor Ormerod into third. By the finish after further swapping of the lead in a close race, Lowe finished first, Davenport second and Robinson third after Ormerod succumbed to a nasty gust, one leg before the finish.

After lunch (Chicken and mushroom bake or Pasta Primavera plus cheese and biscuits), the first of two back to back races started in a similar wind to the morning, but with a slightly longer course. Lowe took an early lead from Davenport and Isaac Marsh. The fleet were tightly bunched at the end of the first lap which allowed Davenport to temporarily gain the lead from Lowe and also allowed Robinson through to third. However, Lowe managed to get back into the lead and held this through to the finish from Davenport and Robinson. The remainder of the fleet had some close racing throughout, with places swapping regularly.

As soon as the last boat finished Race2, the Race Officer changed the course back to that used for the first race and the final race started in slightly less wind but still with some strong gusts. Again this was a clear start and Lowe raced ahead from the start and just extended his lead through the race to finish two legs ahead of second place. Davenport sat this race out, which allowed Marsh to settle comfortably in second place, whilst Robinson fought for third place with Chris White. By the finish though, Robinson was into third place and White in fourth.

Overall Lowe was first with three bullets, Davenport second and first Junior, whilst Marsh's second in race three gave him third overall and left Robinson in fourth and second Junior. After the prize giving, Tim Lowe thanked the Race Officer for the good courses set in difficult conditions, the safety teams and everyone behind the galley for the food at lunchtime.

Overall Results: