Laser Grand Prix at Ogston Sailing Club
by Sarah Rumball 6 Jun 2018 12:08 BST
3 June 2018
Ogston Laser Grand Prix © Dave Basford
Ogston Sailing Club hosted their annual Laser open on Sunday 3rd June with 22 boats in attendance. The event was graced with warm, sunny weather but where was the wind?
This is very unusual for Ogston whose sailors are more used to challenging wind conditions. Luckily we had plenty of complimentary home baking to occupy ourselves during the postponement before the first race.
Our OOD, Don Spencer optimistically informed us there was some wind round the corner so we commenced race one. Ian Jones and Martin Honnor rounded the windward mark together with Ian just in front. They were followed closely by Garry Knott, George Pulman and Matt Rawson. The unusually very light wind conditions created some interesting challenges. The race was eventually won by George Pulman with Ian Jones second and Ogston's Martin Honnor third.
Race two had an interesting start approximately 5 seconds before the start gun the wind filled in from behind providing a Le Mans style start. The committee boat end benefitted hugely. First to the windward mark was Ogston's own Chris Walsh with Rohan Daniels following closely behind. The wind dropped again and the light wind challenges once again commenced. The race was eventually won by Ian Jones, with George Pulman second and John Ling third.
Due to such light wind conditions there was no race three but typically the wind started to pick up once the boats were packed away and the winners were being presented with their prizes.
Many thanks to our OOD Don Spencer and his race team Rob Spencer and Colin Coombes. Also thanks to Andrea Hughes and her partner Kerry Wilson who did fantastic catering for us, the safety team, Rosie and Philip Wilson, Mike Heap and everyone else who assisted with the day.
Overall Results:
1st - Ian Jones (Dovestone)
2nd - George Pulman (Dovestone)
3rd - Martin Honnor (Ogston)
1st Radial - Eleanor Craig (Draycote)
1st 4.7 - Sarah Rumball (Ogston)
1st Lady - Eleanor Craig (Draycote)
1st Junior - George Pulman (Dovestone)
2nd Junior - Lee Howard (Ogston)
3rd Junior - Jamie Mason (Blithfield)