SailingFast Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 Winter Championships at Rutland Sailing Club
by The UK Laser Class Association 4 Mar 2020 13:21 GMT
22-23 February 2020
SailingFast Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 Winter Championships at Rutland © Keith Videlo
Three weeks after Storm Ciara, a week after storm Dennis, and in the midst of Storm Ellen, Rutland Water SC hosted the SailingFast Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 Winter Trophy. Forty-two of our youth sailors braved the conditions to participate at this event, which also served as the first of the ILCA World Championship qualifiers for the Laser 4.7 fleet.
In view of the high winds, the Saturday racing was cancelled, and the Sunday was looking doubtful with winds generally gusting between 30 - 40 knts. However the fleet waited patiently until early afternoon, after which time the excellent judgement of race officer Martyn Emberson paid off as the winds eased just enough to enable the sailors to get on the water, albeit with a warning that they are responsible for their own decision as to whether or not to compete.
Feedback from the sailors was the event was hugely fun, with the unusual opportunity to surf modest waves in Inland Waters!
The first race was a very quick windward - leeward, after which Martyn Emberson was able to schedule a second 3 lap race ahead of the final warning, with the two races being just enough for the event to count towards the ladder and qualifying series, but no discards being allowed.
The first Radial race was convincingly won by Arthur Farley, with Ed Baker in second and Shotaro Kikkawa in third. The second race was much closer, with Shotaro winning it, and Arthur having to overtake Kai Wolgram and Alistair Brown to come in second for the race and win the championship bowl by just one point. Ed Baker finished the event in third place overall with Alistair Brown one point behind in fourth. The girls fleet was won by Charlotte Rocket ahead of Charlotte Videlo in second with the other entrants not competing in the extremely harsh conditions.
The Laser 4.7 fleet was joined by sailors who usually train and sail in the Radial fleet, as this event was also the first of the qualifier series for the ILCA Laser 4.7 World Championships. The experience and strength of the older sailors prevailed in this high wind event. The boys fleet was won by Fin Dickinson ahead of brother Sam Dickenson in second, Tom Williamson in third, and with Oliver Allen - Wilcox tie on points but fourth on count-back.
The U16 boys was won by Jack Graham - Troll (8th overall), ahead of Tim Evans in second place and Max Steele in third.
The girls fleet was a similar affair with Coco Barret winning both races (and achieving third place overall), ahead of local girl Carys Attwell in second and Emily Elms in third. This was enough for Carys to win the U16 girls category, ahead of Emily Elms in second and Honor Proctor in third.
A special thanks must go to the Rutland Sailing Club Race team and Safety crew for getting two races and a series completed with minutes to spare. Also, SailingFast for their continued support of the Laser Youth Series and providing the prizes.