Laser Open at Midland Sailing Club

Midland SC Laser Open © Jenny Chen-Androni

Midland SC Laser Open © Jenny Chen-Androni

Midland SC Laser Open © Jenny Chen-Androni

The weather forecast for Sunday 26th July 2015 was pretty grim reading; chilly, cloudy, wet and windy wasn't what we had hoped for when the date was set for the last weekend of July to hold this event as part of the Laser Midland Grand Prix series.

Never the less, with competitors travelling from as far afield as Rotherham SC, we attracted an entry of 21 Lasers to the first Laser Open meeting held at Midland Sailing Club for over 20 years. Eight of whom were home club sailors actively working to re-establish a competitive Laser fleet.

Race Officer Steve Watson was tested all day by the shifting wind that constantly veered around a South Easterly direction, not normally experienced on Edgbaston Reservoir. The course was set on the premise that at least one of the legs would contain a beat at some point during the race!

The fleet cautiously took to the water expecting heavy winds to arrive at any time, although the 11:00 o'clock start coincided with a fairly light breeze and constant drizzle. As the boats lined up for the start, the dinghies at the pin end of the line looked to be very eager to get under way with three boats judged to be over the line at the gun. One turned back but the others continued. John Ling of Bartley SC rounded the windward mark in first place and held a convincing lead to the finish taking full advantage of some tricky shifts with James Dalby of Trent Valley SC comfortably in second. Rob Lennox of Barnt Green SC fought his way through the fleet to claim third from Joe Scurrah of Carsington SC in fourth.

On completion of the race, John and Joe found that they were judged to have been over the start line and sought redress through a protest committee, emerging victorious whilst everyone else tucked into a hearty and warming lunch laid on by the galley crew.

The wind was building during lunch, peppered with some fairly strong gusts and the drizzle had turned to rain as the fleet returned to the water for two back to back afternoon races. A new course was set and at the gun the fleet made a clean start to the second race. Lazaros Andronis of Midland SC rounded the windward mark in first place closely followed by John and Joe who managed to take advantage of the variable winds. John edged in front by the third leg and then slowly stretched out his lead to the finish with Joe second and Jeremy Higson of Bartley SC working hard to take third.

Midland SC Laser Open - photo © by Jenny Chen-Androni

The Race Officer was forced to change the course once again to suit the conditions that were becoming increasingly gusty, and set the longest course of the day. Once again everyone got away cleanly. The fleet was now more accustomed to the conditions and confident that the promised extreme forecast was not going to materialise. As the leaward mark approached the majority of the fleet had bunched together causing a high degree of drama at the turn. From this point the fleet started to spread out with the wind began to slacken with holes appearing to catch some out. John finished the day in fine style by taking his third bullet, Rob came home in second and James in third. This was also the order of the overall result.

The Radial fleet was won by Jamie Cuxon of Earlswood Lakes SC who came home in tenth place and was also first under 18 sailor. Jenn Parsons from Rotherham SC was first lady and Rachel Lennox of Barnt Green SC won the first 4.7 prize. Lazaros Andronis (Club Laser Captain) was the leading home sailor in 5th place.

Despite the wet conditions everyone seemed to be in good spirits throughout the day and proved to be a success. Midland Sailing Club look forward to hosting this event next year in what we hope will be sunnier and dryer conditions.

Overall Results: