Laser Midlands Grand Prix Series at Trimpley Sailing Club
by Abi Holland 14 Sep 2015 11:21 BST
6 September 2015
Trimpley Laser Open © Abi Holland
19 Lasers came to Trimpley SC for the latest round of the 2015 Midlands Grand Prix, sponsored by Wildwind Sailing Holidays and Rooster. The early morning mirror-like millpond was soon replaced by a slightly varying NW wind of around 5-10 knots and bright sunshine. The lovely conditions remained for the whole day, peppered by gusts that got some boats planing and caught one or two by surprise resulting in a few unplanned swims.
The well disciplined fleet got away without a hitch from all starts.
Race 1 saw close racing throughout the race with place changes right up to the finish line. By the finish of the race it was John Ling followed closely by Rob Lennox, Neil Crosby, Andy Allan, Paul Powell and James Allan.
Race 2 saw no retirements, even closer racing and plenty of position changes during the race. Again finish positions 1 and 2 were dominated by John and Rob with a reversal of positions for Andy and Neil for 3rd and 4th; while Paul and James repeated their 5th and 6th positions. Others in the fleet had lots of position changes. This meant Race 3 would be exciting as only the meeting winner in a standard Laser (John Ling) and the leading Radial (Paul Moughin-Leay) could not be challenged; for everyone else their final placing would be determined by the last race.
Race 3 had a change of course to introduce a second Windward Leg and a second Downwind Leg. Everyone showed real determination with intense close quarter racing ensuing. John took the early lead, but Andy fought through, however it was Neil who came out as the leader by the halfway stage; Andy fought back and held the lead to the finish requiring a count back on race results with Rob due to both finishing the meeting on equal points.
Overall Results:
1st John Ling
2nd Andy Allan
3rd Rob Lennox
4th Neil Crosby
5th Paul Powell
6th James Allan
(all using full rigs/sail)
Radial Fleet
1st Paul Moughlin-Leay
2nd Harrison Bradbury-Knight
3rd Henry Budden
4th Joshua Spokes