Medway RC Laser Winter Series - Day 3

Sunday heralded the end of 2017 and, despite the rain and wind associated with Storm Dylan, the racing went ahead as usual. 41 knots were recorded on Sheppey at 7.30 but this did not put off the eight racers who braved the elements.

We were greeted by rain but prior to the start at 10.00 both rain stopped and the wind moderated. It was still the "D" rig and with waves breaking over the lake edge all took to the lake with water breaking across the bows. The course was positioned behind the first headland to sail in an area where the bank provided shelter from the long fetch waves from the southerly end of the lake. The beat from the start was a bit left side biased but with wind shifts near the top of the course the triangle sausage course remained as the course for the day. The triangle element helps to keep the fleet apart on the first downwind leg to reduce possible contact.

Tony Owens set the pace with four first places and with Pete Freeman, David Townshend and Ian Foxwell dicing for the next few. Brian Lev'y and Tony Alexander back from a long break found the conditions tough. Jamie trying too hard by pulling the trigger early for three races over the line paid the penalty of following the fleet for those three races.

Coffee came early after a protest was lodged and not resolved on the water. Fortunately our own NJ Robert Owens was watching and doing "on the water" judging. The protest was heard and all parties shook hands with a no change in results. Robert's officiating on the water did bring some order in the blustery conditions.

A change of buoy positions greeted the start after coffee, but still Tony Owens leading the pack. Les Willson continued his sterling persistence and recorded a fifth and a sixth over the 15 races. Towards the end of the morning three sailors braved the change to "C" rig, paying dividends for Jamie Blair with three race wins over the last three races.

So 15 races and Tony with 8 first places won the day by a 7 point margin. Jamie in second, 6 points ahead of Ian Foxwell, who was only one point ahead of Peter Freeman.

Another outing next Sunday for Round 4 - Happy New Year.

Day 3 Results: