Laser Open at Notts County Sailing Club

by Mark Adams 6 Jul 2015 19:37 BST 5 July 2015

Overall winner Edward Higgson at the Notts County Laser Open © David Eberlin

Close racing at windward mark during the Notts County Laser Open © David Eberlin

Notts County Sailing Club's 2015 Laser Open was kindly sponsored by Desilco Sailing, Gul and Gill so there were lots of great prizes up for grabs. Despite the very light forecast, 41 competitors turned up to battle for the places. The event is part of the Midlands Laser GP series, sponsored by Wildwind, and attracted 15 visiting sailors from around the region.

As competitors rigged their boats the light and shifty breeze disappeared completely to leave the water depressingly mirror like. Race Officer Nadina Lincoln had no choice but to postpone the racing in favour of an early lunch.

At around 1.00 pm the predicted light winds gently began to fill and racing got under way. Those competitors who opted for the clubhouse side of the lake took full advantage of the greater pressure and the fleet was split into two halves. Edward Higson from Bartley SC and Craig Williamson Staunton Harold SC lead home the leading group whilst the back of the fleet struggled to finish as the winds died again.

With dark clouds approaching the breeze filled and swirled around. After several attempts the wind settled, a course was set, and the second race got under way. Early in the race the storm clouds passed overhead bringing squally gusts in excess of 20mph. It was a battle for all the competitors and a number of capsizes and breakages kept the safety crews busy.

Competitors enjoying the unexpected wind at the Notts County Laser Open - photo © David Eberlin

Joe Scurrah from Carsington clinched the second race in the Standard Class. Philip Deeley from Midland Sailing Club lead home the Radials and Amy Hinsliffe - Smith from Notts County was the 1st Lady over the line.

Squall coming through at the Notts County Laser Open - photo © David Eberlin

With only two of the three planned races taking place Edward Higson's 1st and 2nd place was enough to give him victory overall from Craig Williamson and Joe Scurrah. Ben Richardson of Trent Valley SC won the Masters from Mark Adams of Notts County. Tim Cripps lead home the Grand Masters, Phillip Deeley the radials and Amy Hinsliff-Smith the Ladies. Edward Higson was also leading Junior with creditable performances from Matt Buchan and Jake Willars both of Notts County.

Club Commodore Nicki Theokritoff presented a prize table worth over £700 courtesy of Desilco, Gill and Gull and many sailors went home clutching hard earned prizes. Many thanks go to all the competitors who travelled to the event, Paul Williamson for organising the Midlands GP series and of course the race and rescue teams who performed brilliantly well in some freakish conditions.

Prizewinners at the Notts County Laser Open - photo © David Eberlin

We look forward to seeing you all again next year. More photos at ncsc.org.uk/2015/07/05/laser-open-2015

Overall Results:

Pos	Fleet	Division	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	Pts
1st	Standard	Youth	203581	Edward Higson	Bartley SC	1	2	3
2nd	Standard		206880	Craig Williamson	SHSC/HISC	2	3	5
3rd	Standard		208125	Joe Scurrah	Carsington SC	5	1	6
4th	Standard		172766	Rich Bennett	Staunton Harold SC	3	7	10
5th	Standard	Master	207983	Ben Richardson	Trent Valley SC	15	5	20
6th	Standard	Master	197690	Mark Adams	NCSC	8	12	20
7th	Standard		204068	Cameron Smith	Chelmarsh SC	12.5	8	20.5
8th	Standard	Master	197694	Paul Williamson	Staunton Harold SC	4	18	22
9th	Standard		193781	Jonathon Lye	NCSC	17	6	23
10th	Standard	Master	176709	Alan Kenyor	NCSC	7	16	23
11th	Standard	Master	150666	Ross Ryan	NCSC	12.5	11	23.5
12th	Standard	Gandmaster	207591	Tim Gupps	NCSC	14	10	24
13th	Standard		201645	James Dalby	Trent Valley SC	16	9	25
14th	Standard	Master	30595	Andy Allan	Trimpley SC	10	17	27
15th	Standard	Youth	187480	Jamie Cluxson	Earlswood Lakes SC	6	23	29
16th	Standard		178520	Paul Speirs	NCSC	9	24	33
17th	Standard	Master	208667	Simon Limb	Nottingham SC	20	15	35
18th	Standard	Gandmaster	196748	A Scott	NCSC	11	26	37
19th	Standard	Gandmaster	185654	Kev Nicholls	NCSC	18	21	39
20th	Radial	Master	201354	Philip Deeley	Midland SC	27	13	40
21st	Standard		206491	Jon Willars	NCSC	24	19	43
22nd	Standard	Master	202293	PaulPowell	Trimpley SC	19	25	44
23rd	Standard	Gandmaster	166760	Nigel Lindley	NCSC	22	22	44
24th	Standard		43065	Tom Jeffcoate	NCSC	OCS	4	46
25th	Standard		143614	D Hutchinson	NCSC	35	14	49
26th	Standard	Gandmaster	172786	Neil Brinkworth	Nottingham SC	32	20	52
27th	Standard	Youth	175467	Matt Buchan	NCSC	21	35	56
28th	Standard	Master	183183	James Logan	NCSC	25	32	57
29th	Standard	Youth	179100	Ryan Lettinga	Carsington SC	28	31	59
30th	Standard	Gandmaster	179751	Karl Lye	NCSC	30	30	60
31st	Standard	Junior Lady	171783	Amy Hinsliff‑Smith	NCSC	26	37	63
32nd	Standard		159432	Brian Robinson	NCSC	34	29	63
33rd	Standard	Lady	80976	Louise Clayton	NCSC	23	DNF	65
34th	Radial	Junior	137938	Jake Willars	NCSC	38	27	65
35th	Radial	Youth	138243	Tyler Simmonds	NCSC	37	28	65
36th	Standard	Master	143090	Adrian Jones	NCSC	33	34	67
37th	Radial	Junior	185654	Morgan Mullen	NCSC	31	38	69
38th	Radial	Junior	136554	Chloe Willars	NCSC	29	DNF	71
39th	Standard	Older Lady	178146	Kathryn Hinsliff‑Smith	NCSC	OCS	33	75
40th	Radial	Older Lady	183183	Philippa Logan	NCSC	39	36	75
41st	Standard		183086	Jo Ritchie	NCSC	36	39	75