Laser Midland Grand Prix Round 1 at Chelmarsh Sailing Club

by Paul Williamson 24 Mar 2015 06:43 GMT 15 March 2015

Round 1 of the 2015 Laser Midland Grand Prix sponsored by Wildwind Sailing Holidays and Rooster Sailing attracted 31 boats to Chelmarsh Sailing Club. The forecast 16 - 22 mph forecast wind didn't appear but there was enough breeze to make the racing the closest seen on the circuit for many years.

The event was won by Rich Bennett from Staunton Harold who won all three races, Rich pulled out a 30 s lead by the end of the first race, but the finnish was much closer in races two and three. Cameron Smith (Chelmarsh), Rob lennox (Barnt Green), Keith Wilkins (Chelmarsh), Richard Coats (Chelmarsh) and Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold) all pushed Rich hard for the front slot throughout the day. Cameron, Rob and Richard were 2nd, 3rd and 4th in race 1. Alex Homer from Midland who had gradually improved throughout the 2014 season had his best result of the day in 5th place.

Race two saw a different leader on nearly every leg of the course. A capsize whilst leading spoilt Cameron's chances of winning the race, but eventually it was Paul followed by Rob and Keith who were 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The final race finally got away under a black flag after two recalls. There were two early casualties from this race with Rob being OCS and Keith capsizing at the windward mark. Again Cameron used his local knowledge to take an early lead. Paul managed to pull through to 2nd overhauling Guy Pearson (Upton Warren) and Steve Taylor (Chelmarsh). Paul and Cameron's close battle to the finish line for 2nd place gave Rich the chance to take his third victory of the day with Paul 2nd and Cameron 3rd. Guy and Steve finishing 4th and 5th respectively.

The Radial fleet had an entry of 10 boats which is encouraging to see so many out early in the 2015 season. Charli Lennox (Barnt Green) was 1st with Alison Taylor (Chelmarsh) 2nd and Harrison Bradbury-Knight (Trimpley) 3rd.

By the time of writing the 2nd event at Tamworth has taken place, Round 3 is at Earlswood on 29th March.

Overall Results:

Pos	Fleet	Rig	Sail No	Helm	Club	1st	2nd	3rd	Pts
1		Laser	172766	Rich Bennett	Stanton	‑1	1	1	2
2	Master	Laser	197694	Paul Williamson	Staunton Harold	(DNC)	2	2	4
3		Laser	204068	Cameron Smith	Chelmarsh	2	‑5	3	5
4	Master	Laser	192514	Rob Lennox	Barnt Green	3	3	(BFD)	6
5	Master	Laser	206874	Richard Coates	Chelmarsh	4	6	‑8	10
6	Master	Laser	206225	Keith Wilkins	Chelmarsh	6	4	(DNF)	10
7	master	Laser	192541	Guy Pearson	Upton Warren	7	‑13	4	11
8		Laser	186067	Alexander Homer	Midland	5	‑7	7	12
9	Master	Laser	198155	Steve Taylor	Chelmarsh	8	‑9	5	13
10		Laser	164734	Lazaros Andronis	Midland	‑12	8	6	14
11	Lady	Laser	159385	Samantha Bunn	chelmarsh	9	‑12	9	18
12	Master	Laser	174848	Will Ranson	Chelmarsh	10	10	‑11	20
13	Master	Laser	202293	Paul Powell	Trimpley	‑13	11	12	23
14	Master	Laser	164671	John Kingsley	Chelmarsh	(DNC)	14	10	24
15	Master	Laser	203970	David Partridge	Chelmarsh	11	‑15	14	25
16	Lady	Radial	EST	Charli Lennox	Barnt Green	16	‑19	13	29
17	Master	Laser	204178	Julian Talbot	Chelmarsh	14	16	(DNC)	30
18	Lady Master	Radial	204124	Alison Taylor	Chelmarsh	‑18	17	15	32
19	Master	Laser	164546	Ian Davies	Trimpley	17	‑18	17	34
20	Youth	Radial	SLO	Harrison Bradbury‑Knight	Trimpley	19	‑23	16	35
21		Radial	134711	Paul Moughin	Staunton Harold SC	20	‑21	19	39
22	Master	Laser	180806	Richard Lycet	Chelmarsh	‑29	22	18	40
23	Master	Radial	201354	Philip Deeley	Midland	23	(DNF)	20	43
24	Master	Radial	132149	Simon Yeomans	Tripley	24	20	(DNC)	44
25	Master	Laser	178682	Michael Dalziel	Trimpley	21	‑25	25	46
26	Youth	Radial	200043	Matthew Luxton	Staunton Harold	22	24	(BFD)	46
27	Junior	Laser	174537	William Gould	Carsington	15	(DNC)	DNC	47
28	Youth	Laser	202430	Ryan Lettings	Carsington	25	‑26	22	47
29	Lady	Radial	207301	Tracey Pope	Chelmarsh	28	‑29	21	49
30	Lady	Radial	JPN	Maria Roche	Chelmarsh	26	‑27	23	49
31	Master	Radial	175791	Phil Pimble		27	‑28	24	51