Laser 4000 UK Series at Hayling Island Sailing Club

A gentle trip down the A3 to HISC was the first stop for the Laser 4000 class ‘on the road’ post the Sailboat Deliveries supported Nationals, and what an amusing weekend it proved to be. Sharing the event with the 29ers and a handful of B14s, we arrived to what appeared to be 25 knots straight onshore. The lure of the Hayling bar or was it the beer had proved too strong for several class notables who re-appeared in force, following episodes of being lost changing pampers or being led astray by SB3s. A postponement to 2pm, provided the opportunity for newly crowned National Champtions, Pete Barton and Roz Allen (Lymington) to demonstrate their strong wind boat-handling to the watching 29er fleet; luckily the spectators had disappeared for the later "coming ashore" lesson, which spared the champs blushes.

Having ventured out to sea and come back a lot wetter, the committee boat setup a course in the main part of the harbour, with the windward mark cunningly placed in easy spectator viewing off the clubhouse. Pete & Roz led the charge up the first beat, going left up the winner bank which proved to be correct call, whilst local hero Doug Baker led a gaggle up the right hand side thus Pete & Roz won the first race convincingly. By the second race the majority of the fleet figured out left was fast, and again Pete & Roz led the way round only to be greeted with the sound of silence, handing the win to Chris Webber & David Steed (O&C SS) followed by the new pairing of Greg Eaton & Nick Alp (Burghfield). Race 3 was much of the same although the 2 lap course caught out a few of the fleet who didn’t know their flags, and the requirement to go though the gate on the last leg catching out a few notables such as Katrina Percy.

For the last race the breeze really kicked in, gusting to 30 knots, it was more a question of keeping the boat going downhill ok, and picking a line through upturned 29ers - we managed to scare a few of them with close calls, but no major damage done. Notable ‘swimmers’ on the first lap of the last race included Chris & David, Huw Powell & Toby Linnell and Mark Hever & Doug Warner. Going back up the second beat there was much discussion in various boats about how entertaining the run had been and how ‘keeping plastic bits under flappy things’ was the requirement for the next downwind leg. Unfortunately the race committee kept us on our toes by shortening at the windward mark and thus avoiding another lap of downwind sleigh rides, or destruction and swimming.

Sunday dawned a little windier and with it forecast to pick up the committee did the sensible thing and canned it at 11am, thus leaving us with the rest of the day free for alternative fun and games.

Many thanks to the race offices, and rescue crew & HISC for putting on an event in difficult conditions, and also to the B14 & 29er fleets for adding to the on the water entertainment.

Overall Results:

1st 4462 Peter Barton & Roz Allen (Royal Lymington)
2nd 4223 Chris Webber & David Steed (O&C SS)
3rd 4582 Greg Eaton & Nick Alp (Burghfield SC)
4th 4597 Huw Powell & Toby Linnell (RWBSC)
5th 4637 Mark Hever & Doug Warner (WSC)
6th 4552 Doug Baker & CC Summerhayes (HISC)