RC Laser Autumn Series at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club - Day 1
by Tony Wilson 23 Oct 2022 23:22 BST
2 October 2022
RC Laser Autumn Series at Fleetwood day 1 © Tony Wilson
With a moderate westerly, it's always great and it was also to remain dry for the seven skippers that turned up for the first in the Autumn series at Fleetwood. Peter Boatman had already been busy placing buoys in their desired position along the lake. It looked like three rows of three and a couple of small ones at the very top, plenty for a great variety of courses.
We took the centre nearest to the bridge for the far start line mark and a flag on the shore at about thirty degrees. The far bank Yellow was our windward mark and then to the middle lollypop buoy. Run down to the chequered black and white and finish on the two outers around the centre line. All taken to Port.
New Skipper Peter Guest was with us for his first outing and was coping well. Perfectly poised on the start line, I thought to myself, "This guy has raced before" at least he'd had a go with the full-size dinghies.
The wind was at the top end of the supplied stock sail and Shaun sped off in his usual format to win the first race and then a second. Race three Tony took a different course on the final beat, with John Armstrong also following to take one away from the top man.
Race four we decided to lengthen the course as it had got a bit congested at the windward mark. Now we were heading to the far top little marks, red and red/white. Early discussions were that the original course might have been too short anyway and an additional lap may have been added later, so this was a good option.
Six races completed and it was off to lunch.
John seemed to find his battery draining gremlin. A dodgy extension lead and switch was the culprit, so we hope.
After lunch we were all back with the same size suit. We had only had a small dip in wind strength in the morning, but it looked good again to go. During the countdown, the wind suddenly picked up a noticeable notch or two. Shaun was the only one to dare and quickly tighten his rigging in time for the start.
Tony looked like he had played a blinder and was well spaced on a Port flyer only for Shaun to be able to point extra high with his new setting this time and catch him out. Three more tacks back and forth from the rest of the fleet and it looked like Tony was going backwards.
Steve was sailing really well and was able to gang up with Eric on Tony, if only to try and have a bit of fun if nothing worked. John managed to win a race through the afternoon, but more needs to be done from all of us, if we ever want to catch the National Champion.
A really good day had by all and we all welcome more of this kind of weather. Thanks for Trevor with help in the scoring.
Results:
1. Shaun Holbeche - 10 pts
2. Tony Wilson - 28 pts
3. John Armstong - 28 pts