Laser Performance Masters Autumn Qualifier at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club

Laser Performance Masters Autumn qualifier at Pevensey Bay © Andrew Byrne

Standard Rig Update by Guy Noble

The penultimate Laser Masters series event was held at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club where a fresh 9knt onshore breeze and bright blue sky greeted visitors from far and wide.

As the boats launched the wind eased to about 7knts leaving a challenging short chop for the first race. Over the past two years I've done many of the Laser Masters events and I don't think I've ever experienced six races without an OCS, black flag or general recall - maybe this has something to do with our illustrious absentees. As the wind eased the tide became an increasingly significant factor however finding pressure was still crucial.

Alan Davis was particularly quick and broke away to take line honours followed by James Gray and Orlando Gledhill closely followed by Duncan Lawson with an excellent fourth. By the second race the sea had flattened out making it easier to cope with the dropping wind. James Gray got ahead of Alan Davis followed by Mac Courts. The final race of the first day saw Orlando Gledhill get in front of Alan Davis to take second but again it was James Gray who took line honours.

Day two saw similar conditions - 5 to 7 knts and cloudless skies and James, Allan and Orlando dominating. However they didn't have it all their own way. Local boy Neil Peters took third place on race five and six to clinch fourth spot in the overall results.

Laser Standards:

1st AM - James Gray (1st overall)
1st Master - Orlando Gledhill (3rd overall)
1st GM - Alan Davis (2nd overall)

Update from First Apprentice Master James Gray (1st overall)

"Conditions were really tricky over the weekend. Light winds, ranging anywhere between 3-6 knots, and a sloppy sea state made it really hard to maintain boat speed on all legs of the course. The tide was also a huge factor. As the wind was light you could not ignore it as it was not easy to overcome. Racing was really tight. Alan Davis had the wheels on consistently upwind. I had excellent starts all weekend and felt that this combined with good course positioning, given the tide, was just enough to hold off Alan and Orlando in enough of the races."

Laser Performance Masters Autumn qualifier at Pevensey Bay - photo © Andrew Byrne

Radial Rig Update by Andy Byrne

Race one and the whole fleet seemingly tacked off inshore and away from the flowing tide. Ian Aldridge and Bob Cudmore had however noticed that the pressure was far greater on the right hand side of the course and both took a huge advantage up the first beat which they held to the finish. Ben Elvin took the last podium spot. Race two and the fleet pushed hard to win the pin resulting in a number of boats coming together.

Ben Elvin managed to escape the carnage and led to the mark with a simple two tack beat. Kevin Pearson also had a stellar first lap but would eventually be caught by Andrew Byrne who finished second with Kevin in third. Race three and again a good start was critical to a good finish. Ben once again took the win but this time David Catto pushed him hard and finished second. Richard Major finished as leader of the pack in third.

Day two dawned in similar conditions – light winds and very sunny. Race four commenced in our strongest breeze of the weekend (10 knots). Class chairman Rob Cage was determined to show us how and lead around the first lap however Ben managed to slip through on the second beat before Andrew Byrne also caught Mr Chairman on the second beat. Perhaps our chair was thinking to much about committee matters!

Race five and the breeze was around seven knots. Max Hunt (Southeast Sailboats and master of all ropes) took the first lap lead followed closely by Niall Peelo. however it was once again Ben Elvin that would come home first with Niall hanging onto second with Andrew Byrne pulling through to third. The final race kicked off with some of the fleet opting for the left and others going right.

Sadly for those on the left it would be the right that would pay big dividends. Ben Elvin took no time to take charge and stormed away to his 5th first of the weekend. David Catto popped another second with John Reay lead the pack home in third.

First Apprentice Master – Ben Elvin (1st overall)
First Master – David Catto (3rd overall)
First Grand Master – Rob Cage (4th overall)
First Great Grand Master – David Binding (5th overall)

Special thanks to our sponsors, Laser Performance, Tideway Investment Partners, Southeast Sailboats, Fernhurst books and Rooster Sailing who helped make the event happen.

Final good luck message to all the masters competing in Dublin next weekend – do us proud!

Radial Rig Results:

Standard Rig Results: