Medway RC Laser Winter Series 2018-19 - Rounds 3, 4 & 5

Medway RC Laser Winter Series Round 5 © Jamie Blair

Rounds 3 and 4 were sailed over the Christmas period with twelve entries on the 23rd December and 15 on the 30th December. Round 3 was sailed in its entirety with A rigs and the Round 4 with a mixture of A and B rigs.

Round 3 saw Jon Moon with a string of great results to hold off Adrian Tomlinson but out in front was Jamie Blair.

Round 4 saw a WSW breeze, with enough wind to power the "A" rig. Adrian Tomlinson and Tony Owens monopolised first and second places in the seven races before the coffee break, retaining advantage with the B rig for Races 3 7. We welcomed back to the series Pete Freeman who after a number of eye operations found great form especially after the coffee break. After thirteen races Adrian was 1st overall, Tony second and Pete Freeman third.

So with Christmas behind us Round 5 kicked off the new year. Our RO set the standard course of triangle/sausage for the A rig (5-6 kts WNW) with the windward mark positioned close to a divide in the lake giving a shifting breeze effect on the approach. So keen were all the sailors that a practice race started the day.

With 12 boats racing it was ultra-important to get off the start cleanly. One boat showed this on a number of occasions starting in the middle of the line and having clear air before the boats at the windward end worked their way off the start. The second race, however, was one that provided a port flyer. Charles Pegram shot off the start line and crossed the whole fleet. The chasing pack worked hard to overhaul Charles who finished a creditable third in that race.

The wind played tricks all through the morning, shifting through 10-15 degrees, particularly nearer the windward mark. Wind pressure changes across the course also provided position changes in each race. So close was the racing mid fleet that clusters of boats would arrive at both ends of the course together, with boats from behind finding themselves in amongst the group and wondering if there was a call for "Room". Some turns were seen but probably not enough so difficult to see sometimes. At coffee time we saw Tony Owens leading the points with Richard Stone in second.

Medway RC Laser Winter Series Round 5 - photo © Jamie Blair

After the break the consistent results chalked up by Jamie Blair and discarding two seventh places brought him to the top of the list; Tony Owens again with consistent second place results allowed him to keep ahead of Adrian Tomlinson and go home with a second overall.

Twelve races were completed by the 12.30 cut-off. Jamie took the day with Tony Owens in second and Adrian Tomlinson in third.

The overall positions for the Winter Series from December to March have Jon Moon heading the order, followed by Jamie Blair, Tony Alexander, Adrian Tomlinson and Tony Owens. No discards taken yet so all can change.

See you all next Sunday 13th January for Round 6. Details of location and start times on www.rclaser.org.uk/events

Round 3 Results (23 Dec):

Round 4 Results (30th Dec):

Round 5 Results (Jan):