Laser South Coast Grand Prix Series Finale at Chichester Yacht Club
by Meryl Deane 14 Oct 2019 17:14 BST
12 October 2019
Chichester Yacht Club Laser Open © Mark Green
After gales on Friday, and high winds forecast again for Sunday, Saturday brought a lull in the wind. Unfortunately it also brought a damp mist and minimal wind.
Some keen Laser sailors made their way to CYC hoping for sailable conditions, including a small contingent from the Isle of Wight. This was also the final race of the Laser South Coast Grand Prix Series.
After a postponement for about an hour with no wind, enough wind filled in from the south to run some racing, despite very light and fluky conditions. Racing was run in two Fleets, Laser Standard and Laser Radial. Two races were completed.
In the Standard Fleet both races were won by Charlie South (Emsworth/Stokes Bay SC) who aged 15 beat many older experienced sailors. Charlie therefore won the Standard Fleet, and the Chichester YC Laser Open Salver. 2nd was Duncan Lawson (WWSC) and 3rd Charles Porter (CYC).
In the Radial Fleet, racing was dominated by the women sailors. Race 1 was won by Sophie Kirk (CYC) and Race 2 by Ellie Hutchings (CYC). This gave the win to Ellie, with Sophie second and Sam Steward (Brading Haven SC) was 3rd.
Charlie South also won the South Coast Grand Prix, 2nd was Simon Radford and 3rd Richard Bradshaw.
After racing the sailors retired to CYC clubhouse enjoying an excellent regatta tea, managing to arrive ashore shortly before the heavy rain. Despite the weather, a good day on the water.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | Pts |
|---|
| Radial Fleet |
|---|
| 1st | 214134 | Ellie Hutchings | CYC | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 2nd | 210218 | Sophie Kirk | CYC | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 3rd | 213537 | Sam Steward | Brading Haven YC | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 4th | 207686 | Kristian Schafer | Brading Haven YC | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 5th | 143697 | Sophie Taylor | Emsworth Slipper SC | 4 | 7 | 11 |
| 6th | 137130 | Tim Scott | CYC | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| 7th | 0 | Karl Schafer | Brading Haven YC | 6 | 6 | 12 |
| 8th | 207462 | Ed Rollestone | Newhaven & Seaford | DNC | DNC | 20 |
| 8th | 13537 | Grace King | Bembridge | DNF | DNF | 20 |
| Standard Fleet |
|---|
| 1st | 215401 | Charlie South | Emsworth / Stokes Bay | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 205320 | Duncan Lawson | WWSC | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3rd | 181047 | Charles Porter | CYC | 4 | 3 | 7 |
| 4th | 207700 | Julian Wilkins | CYC | 3 | 5 | 8 |
| 5th | 208677 | Peter Snowdon | Shoreham SC | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 6th | 208671 | Richard Bradshaw | Weirwood SC | 5 | 7 | 12 |
| 7th | 208888 | Simon Radford | Bosham SC | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| 8th | 203304 | Andrew Martin | CYC | 8 | DNF | 17 |