Laser Direct Laser 2000 Nationals at East Lothian Yacht Club

Dave & Kate Eccles in a tight finish on day one of the Laser 2000 nationals © Alan Henderson / www.fotoboat.com

Mark & Jacob Aldridge on day two of the Laser 2000 nationals © Alan Henderson / www.fotoboat.com

East Lothian Yacht Club, North Berwick were the hosts for the 2006 Laser Direct Laser 2000 National Championships, the welcome and hospitality shown by the club exceeded their reputation and the expectations of the class.

Thirty six entries, unfortunately two casualties immediately prior to the event brought the racing numbers down to thirty four boats on the water although one team despite being injured made the journey to enjoy the week with the 2k fleet and their families.

Racing started on the Sunday in a modest F2 rising to F4 for race two with newcomers to the class Paul Rigg/Kenneth Laing and Simon Horsfield/Clive Grant showing good form.

Monday brought similar winds (starting stronger and then falling) with Paul and Kenneth wining both the day’s races, Simon and Clive were still chasing hard along with another team new to the fleet Mike and Anne de St Paer showing a turn of speed.

The wind on Tuesday picked up with 18/19kts again two races won by Paul and Kenneth with Simon and Clive and Mike and Anne again exchanging races/places to take second place. Race five saw two general recalls with the black flag shown for the third start which saw Mark and Hanna Longstaff, consistently keen and ‘hot out of the blocks’ rewarded with a 45minute rest (the crew’s fault I am told!). Dave and Kate Eccles led race five until the final leeward gate where due to some confusion (by the crew!) the wrong mark was chosen and they were overtaken to finish third. Quickly ashore saw copetitors shower, grab a beer and gather their families to board a 51 seat coach for a ’2k outing’ to the Edinburgh Tattoo.

Wednesday was a ‘lay day’ which was just as well, the wind had freshened considerably so had racing been programmed it would not have happened anyway. A day was spent enjoying the area with the evening put aside for the now expected annual 2k Pub Quiz.

A walk down to the club Thursday saw much the same winds as the previous day and as previous years a single decision was made early on to abandon all racing for the day, rightly or wrongly and without hindsight! Although the sailors come to the Nationals to race they and their families also make it a holiday, having a single early decision allows a day not to be entirely wasted so that the surrounding area may be further explored. Some spent another day in Edinburgh enjoying the ‘Fringe Festival’ whilst others scrambled 613ft to the summit of the North Berwick Law. Most arrived back in time for Haggis and Neaps followed by an evening of fun, Highland Games – the East Lothian YC version!

Friday saw the winds drop but following on from two days of strong winds there was a considerable swell, the PRO wisely postponed racing to allow the fleet to launch in safety and due to the unexpected abnormally low tide the committee boat to float! Racing got underway an hour later than programmed with PRO Ted Hill getting in three races slickly back to back. The winds were north easterly F2/3 and the swell presented a new challenge for some of the fleet. Three races and three different race winners, Paul/Kenneth race 7, Simon/Clive race 8 and Mark/Hanna rewarded for previous behaviour by a win in race 9.

Consistent scoring saw Paul and Kenneth crowned Laser 2000 National Champions for 2006. their first ever championship win and a first ever National Championship title for East Lothian Yacht Club.

Racing throughout the week was much closer than previous years with the time and distance between the front to back of the fleet greatly reduced. The Laser 2000 fleet again demonstrated its friendliness with sailing partners, families and friends, young and not so young all having a great time together both on and off the water.

Other Prizes awarded to:

• Mike and Anne de St Paer – Century Prize
• Brian and Maria Golton – Highest Placed First Nationals
• Callum Reid and Christopher Wood – 1st Junior Boat
• Tom Bell – 1st Junior Helm
• Stephen Hay and George Jamieson – Endeavour Award and Most Fun Boat

The class voted at their AGM to extend entry fee support for those under 21 (in full time education) to the Millennium Series Circuit Events as well as Championship Events, this being a 50% reduction for Junior boats and a 25% reduction for Junior Helms.

Alan Henderson from Fotoboat was in attendance making sure there were some photographs.

Thanks go to the members of East Lothian YC for their combined efforts to ensure a great week was had by all and to our title sponsors Laser Direct for their generosity.

Overall Results: