RC Laser Northern Series at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club - Round 3

RC Laser Northern Series at Fleetwood © Trevor Bell

With only the slight chance of a shower, the forecast was looking good. Peter had already thought out a course, jumped in the boat and set the marks in appropriate places.

Eleven Skippers had attended what was going to double up as a club event and an Open Northern district meeting. Elizabeth had been busy notifying everyone of this upcoming day and has at present at least 28 interested RC Laser folk to email with most from the Fleetwood club. In addition, Alan had also sent out notification to the masses.

Names all registered and off to sail with the 'B' rig, all except Peter, who was our first sacrificial lamb. It was a bit to blowy for the big sail, but someone must try and unfortunately it was the wrong choice. Shaun won this first race and the rest of the guys would have to try harder to have to even get close.

We had two new guys to the local flock all fully equipment and with all rigs, Martyn from Manchester and Ian Sinclair from over Wigan way. Ian had joined us for the Nationals in September with a charter boat, but now had his own. Having only sailed full size dinghies, this was his first venture into RC yachting and he was enjoying it. On the second race he finished in second place, so he was doing really well. Martyn has dabbled in the past with RC Cars so is good at twiddling sticks and was also feeling at home with his new toy.

Two triangles all sailed to port was the instruction. After a race or two, Eric thought he would now chance the 'A' rig. Again it didn't work out and he was back down again next race. We had eight races leading up to lunch, just in case we saw rain as the sky sometimes looked threatening. Bob had again winch trouble with some peculiar noises coming from his hull and the lunchtime was the right opportunity to investigate.

RC Laser Northern Series at Fleetwood - photo © Trevor Bell

You could smell that familiar smell of kerosene coming from the far end of the lake and some guys warming up a jet engine in something that looked like a Bluebird. While they seemed to be just testing with the occasional short whoosh and not out to break any world speed records, we were going to be safe.

Shaun was well ahead on points and hadn't been giving away too much. The afternoon had a slightly adjusted start line but much of the same with the same guys setting the pace, although nobody was really left too far behind and grouping was looking good.

Walter mentioned and thought the wind may have dropped a touch over lunch, so now it was Tony's time to embarrass himself going with the big sail. It looked right and wasn't overpowered, but smaller sails can make better headway when it's debatable about changing. Dropping right back to the rear of the pack and eventually noticing a wad of thatch weed trailing from the centre fin. Was it wrong sail choice or had the passenger been there all along. Anyway next race back down to 'B' rig.

Race eleven did eventually see a drastic drop in wind and all now went Big. Shaun lost a race to Walter as he had optimal setting on this sail and then Tony snatched himself another win on the last race number twelve just as the wind totally dropped. We had probably walked in the region of three miles which is typical for a day like this.

The next race in this series is again over at Burwain. Three venues are being used in this series.

Results:

1 Shaun Holbeche 11 pts
2 Tony Wilson 21 pts
3 Peter Isles 43 pts

RC Laser Northern Series at Fleetwood - photo © Trevor Bell