Laser Midlands Grand Prix at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Draycote Water Laser Open © Nigel Davies

On what was to be the hottest day of the year, a light breeze welcomed visitors to Draycote Water Sailing Club's 2019 Laser Open, part of the Midlands Grand Prix. 28 competitors were at the club and rigged their boats ready to sail four races over the day.

A light, very shifty 5 knots of wind coming from all directions delayed the start of the first race. The OD team led by PRO John Tenney kept their nerve and at 11am the wind stabilised at 5 knots from the south east. The course of a triangle, sausage was set, and racing began.

For the first race, the wind shifted 25 degrees on the start signal, resulting in those at the committee boat end having the advantage over the once biased pin. All the competitors got away cleanly with Cameron Smith gaining a clear advantage by the windward mark which saw him through to the end of the race.

For the second race the wind continued from the south east but had built slightly to 5-8 knots. Once again, shifty conditions meant at the start the pin advantage was wiped out with a wind shift to the south on the first beat. Cameron Smith led again at the windward mark, and after some close racing over the following laps, Joe Scurrah came out on top.

After a break for lunch and much needed refreshments, the fleet headed out the racing area once again. The race started in the strongest wind of the day with gusts topping around 12 knots allowing for planing reaches and capsizes down the runs. Simon Stonehouse, had a good start, leading at the windward mark. However, with the wind swinging round to the south throughout the race, Joe Scurrah and Cameron Smith came through to set up a decider in race four.

The wind for the fourth race shifted round significantly to the south. The PRO did well to set a course in the shifty and gusty conditions. With the wind flicking around from south east to west, those queuing at the committee boat end of the line who tacked off early in clear wind gained significant advantage over the fleet. Joe Scurrah was clear at the end of the first lap and never looked back as he built a significant lead over the fleet in the dying wind. Back in the fleet there was close racing throughout, as huge gains and loses were experienced in the conditions.

Once finished the boats headed back to the shore to pack up and head into the club house for a well earned beer and prize giving on the patio in the summer sun. The prize giving saw all the competitors collect their trophies, with 1st Place to Joe Scurrah from Carsington SC beating Cameron Smith from Chelmarsh SC who finished 2nd. The sailing was well attended by the radials with George Fereday taking 1st radial and 3rd overall on handicap. George Sunderland took the prize for first under 18 helm, while Lydia Barber took first female helm.

PY Adjusted Results:

First Past the Post Results: