Laser / ILCA Spring Open at Royal Harwich Yacht Club

The Laser/ILCA Spring Open Meeting at Royal Harwich Yacht Club, held over the weekend of 29-30 May, was blessed with glorious weather and near-perfect sailing conditions.

The 30 Lasers/ILCAs entered comprised a strong turnout from the growing home fleet together with four visitors who were taking advantage of the long-awaited opportunity to travel to open events. All three rigs sailed together as one fleet, and although the Standard/ILCA 7s were marginally the largest contingent, the Radial/ILCA 6s mustered almost a dozen entries, nearly all Youth sailors, and there were four 4.7/ILCA 4s for the lightest sailors.

Laser / ILCA Spring Open at Royal Harwich - photo © Joe Hunt

Saturday's wind was a fairly steady force 3-4, which stayed due East for most of the day, an ideal direction for Race Officer Bob Portway to take the fleet slightly down river for the day's racing against the picturesque backdrop of historic Pin Mill. Sunday's wind was a little more challenging, with a similar wind strength but now from the NNE with some significant shifts throughout the day, and a brief period where a sea breeze threatened to take over, causing some big holes and gusts to catch out the unwary, but fortunately this was short lived and the gradient wind held.

Laser / ILCA Spring Open at Royal Harwich - photo © Theresa Thorogood

Throughout the weekend the tidal stream was the Race Officer's friend (and indeed the competitors!) tending to hold the fleet back from the line, and consequently across the 8 races there was only one general recall, and very few individual recalls. Nonetheless the Race Officer commented afterwards "the fleet's line discipline was excellent, and yet race after race the ODM was obscured by half the fleet barely a split second after the start" - full credit to the sailors!

In the Standard/ILCA 7s at the front of the fleet it was generally a close battle between Stephen Videlo and Paul Davies, with Stephen predominantly coming out on top when it mattered to record 6 bullets. Just behind, and sometimes up amongst, these two Toby Tracey recorded two 2nds and two 3rds, and the others getting a look in for the podium positions were Graham Ireland, John Russell, Will Finch and Dom Knights.

Laser / ILCA Spring Open at Royal Harwich - photo © Bill Hughes

In the Radial/ILCA 6s it was even more clear cut at the front, with James Deaton dominating proceedings to score seven bullets, often finishing well up towards the front of the Standard/ILCA 7s. Behind him George Ellis Miller and James Russell shared most of the 2nd places, with Ethan Davey and Robin Dean also securing a runners-up spot each.

The small 4.7/ILCA 4 contingent was generally led home by Imogen Palmer, counting five 1sts, with a close battle behind her between Harry McTieman and Nathan Russell tied on points for 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Laser / ILCA Spring Open at Royal Harwich - photo © Theresa Thorogood

All in all this was a great Open Meeting, with a very respectable turnout despite it being a Bank Holiday weekend during school half term when many families were away, and with slick race management enabling 8 races to be sailed with very little hanging around, - many thanks to everyone involved, competitors, officials and volunteers alike.

And looking ahead... the Laser/ILCA fleet at Royal Harwich YC has seen a significant increase in numbers over the past 12 months, with a notable influx from Waldringfield and Alton Water, and it is now probably the largest racing fleet in the area, with club racing turnouts often in the mid-high teens and peaking at 20. We plan to host another Laser/ILCA Open Meeting in the Autumn, this time a one-day event on Sunday 10th October 2021, so please put the date in your diary now!

Overall Results: