Sailing Chandlery Laser Thames Valley Grand Prix at Haversham Sailing Club

The first outing for the Laser Thames Valley Grand Prix Circuit for 2019 turned out to be a great start to the new season. Having arrived before many I was hotly anticipating a complete whitewash of the event due to the lack of wind forecast for the entirety of the day. I turned up to a lake that was crystal clear and mirror like.

Thankfully 14 of us made sure that the day and glorious sunshine wasn't put to waste. After a half-hour delay due to the wind shifting between 90 and 180 degrees a course was set for a North Westerly wind in 5-6knots. Strangely, this didn't deter two boats from having a capsize before the start.

The first race got under way with the wind dropping away before many got to the windward mark. It was a game of snakes and ladders as many, including myself, found themselves going from the front of the fleet to the back. Needless to say the home talent of Sean Muldoon prevailed and took the 1st bullet for the standard rigs before lunch. For the Radials it was Edward Brown, who had a great battle with newcomer to the circuit Alistair Brown, who took the bullet.

A short break for lunch, with the fantastic food and service offered by the club took place, which allowed a chance for the wind to pick up and stabilise.

The second race took place in closer to 8-10knots of wind, although this often dropped off to nothing with large 90 degree wind shifts. This time Chris Nash took the bullet for the standard rigs with Dave Killey and Gary Bullock close behind. For the radials a swap from before, Alistair Brown took the bullet from Edward to make it a hot contest for the third and final race.

A change of course to allow more use of the lake looked promising after the breeze building from the second race. However, the wind hadn't finished playing its games. This time, Gary Bullock got away cleanly from the start with Chris Nash in tow. After rounding the windward mark it unfortunately became a little bit of a procession. Gary Bullock took the win for the last race with Chris Nash in second and myself in third.

For the Radials Alistair Brown tied it up by winning the last race ensuring that Edward has his work cut out if he wants to retain his trophy from last year.

Special mention to Marcus Pakes in the only 4.7 rig who took part in each race, hopefully there will be more wind in the future to encourage more of them out.

Furthermore, I would like to thank Sailing Chandlery for their support towards the series.

Standard Rig Results:

Radial Rig Results:

4.7 Rig Results:

1st - 195979 - HSC - Marcus Pakes

The Series Overall

Looking further ahead, there are still fifteen more meetings scheduled, with six needed to qualify. It would be great to see as many faces as possible over the coming months, old or new.

13th April Littleton Sailing Club
27th April Broxbourne Sailing Club
12th May Queen Mary Sailing Club
2nd June Papercourt Sailing Club
8th June King George Sailing Club
9th June Aldenham Sailing Club
15th June Island Barn Sailing Club
23rd June Wembley Sailing Club
29th June Maidenhead Sailing Club
13th July Fishers Green Sailing Club
31st August Welsh Harp Sailing Club
14th September Frensham Pond Sailing Club
21st September Datchet Water Sailing Club
28th September London Corinthian Sailing Club
12th October Burghfield Sailing Club