Medway RC Laser Winter Series 2018-19 - Round 6

Medway RC Laser Winter Series round 6 © Leslie Willson

Round 6 sees us half-way through the Winter Series. Numbers remain excellent at eleven starters in Round 6. Gusty winds of 19-20 kts from the NW meant for a very lively session. The normal course of triangle/sausage was adopted with the windward mark positioned near the bank again and as previous weeks giving a shifting breeze effect on the approach.

The start line had a small amount of port bias but with the majority opting for starboard end there was the inevitable cluster effect that allowed those starting on Starboard towards the pin time and speed to escape the pack. Subsequent starts saw a gradual migration along the line and as last week Charles Pegram shot off the start line on port and crossed the whole fleet. A number of starts saw boats to windward forced over the line and a return signalled by the RO. Jamie Blair and Sarah Mason both guilty on one occasion.

D rig was the sail of the day. Some frustration towards the windward mark and the lighter shifting breeze played tricks all through the morning, shifting through 10-15 degrees and again causing the boats to cluster. Shouts went up and turns were seen, particularly nearer the windward mark. Wind pressure changes across the course also begged the question for a sail change to the C rig but only one brave sailor Phil Walker (in Race 9) made the change.

The decision was right for the first half of the race but the 50m lead was lost when on the last run a series of eloquent pirouettes allowed the next boat to capitalise and win the race. The closely fought races seemed to have a twist even up to the last tack for the finish and twice Jamie Blair found himself with no boat speed after the last tack allowing second place Pete Freeman to take not one but two races.

Medway RC Laser Winter Series round 6 - photo © Leslie Willson

After the coffee and bacon roll break Mark Penny picked up from his disrupted start to the day (handset at home) to pull in some very good results, including a race win in Race 11 and fifth overall for the day. Sarah Mason also had a best ever day with two third places and a fourth. Pete Freeman chased hard for the overall but a "not so good patch" after coffee let Jamie notch up another win overall.

Third, fourth and fifth were close with 9 points separating them and even closer were Richard, Brian, Sarah, Andrew and Charles only separated by 5 points. Andrew's last race spoilt by a rudder servo failure, and Brian missed the first two (a mainsheet winch this time).

Thirteen races were completed by the 12.30 cut-off. Jamie took the day with Pete Freeman second and Phil Walker in third.

See you all next Sunday 20th January for Round 7. Details of location and start times on www.rclaser.org.uk/events

Round 5 Results: