Laser Thames Valley Series Finale at Burghfield Sailing Club
by Peter Edel 14 Oct 11:27 BST
12 October 2019
The season finale at Burghfield Sailing Club on Saturday the 12th October had meant to be the event of the year. All week it was looking to be great sailing conditions, but on the day we were met with rain, rain and more rain. Not a spot of wind. Everyone turned up, took a look, pondered, drank some tea, pondered some more and waited some more.
The briefing took place and many thought better of it and can you blame them. With less than 4 knots of wind, 5 boats headed out into the murk. George Lane of Broxbourne needling to qualify and also win to win the series out right, Alistair Brown of Great Moor needing to beat George to win the series on count and Colin Carver needing to compete in the Standard rig to qualify.
A trapezoid course was set and off they drifted. Many roll tacks and much waiting later George Lane won the first race with Alistair Brown in second.
From my view in the club house, and a few other qualifiers who thought better of it, the second race didn't look that much better. Again George Lane taking the win.
Whilst waiting for those competing to come in for lunch a small prize giving was had to allow people to go home.
Gary Bullock took the series win, followed by myself in second and Chris Nash in 3rd for the Standard rig. Prizes included vouchers for Sailing Chandlery, our sponsors for this year, and wine, naturally.
I also left at this point to face the long drive back in the rain. Needless to say, the results from the next two races made for an interesting end to the series.
Alistair Brown managed to win the third race and as for the fourth, a tie. Needless to say, George Lane won the event and the series for the Radial Fleet, with Alistair Brown in second and Edward Brown in third.
A big thanks go to Burghfield Sailing Club for hosting us, to all the clubs that have hosted the Thames Valley circuit this year and to Sailing Chandlery, who I can reveal will be our sponsors again for next year.
Lastly, thanks to all the sailors. Without you the series wouldn't be worth running. Please feel free to join in next year. Watch this space for details for next year's series.