Laserfest Sprints at Whitstable Yacht Club

Whitstable Yacht Club has been running Laserfest since 2017 as its Laser focussed weekend of racing and socialising with the objective of getting as many WYC Lasers racing as possible and sharing the fun with other local clubs.

For 2023 Laserfest was rebranded as a sprint event and generously sponsored by Holidaycottages.co.uk and local Laser agent Sail and Sport. There was a target of five races of day of 20-minute duration, with quick turnover between races to keep the Laser racers focussed!

Whitstable Yacht Club Laserfest 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

After much planning by class captain Adam Whitehouse and team, sunny weather and good winds greeted the 33 Laser and ILCA sailors who arrived for the event.

The sprint format took a little getting used to for both racers and race management and races became progressive shorter and more frenetic as experienced was gained. What started as triangle/sausage courses moved to windward/leeward courses due to a drifting gybe mark in race 3, however that proved so popular that windward/leeward courses were used for the rest of the weekend.

Whitstable Yacht Club Laserfest 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

So, the racing: day one saw a battle between youth and experience as Charles Campion traded the lead with youngster Harry Newton. Hot on their heels was another youngster Leo Yates from Island Barn in his radial and Kevin Hall and Adam Whitehouse from the home club. There was some serious wind during race three which challenged many and led to a number of capsizes, but fortunately races four and five were (slightly) easier on the aching muscles.

The Saturday night social of Laserfest is the stuff of legend, and this year was no exception. After a fish and chip supper, the band 'Sold on Soul' took to the stage on the club deck with the Laser fleet forgetting their aching legs and taking to the dance floor.

Whitstable Yacht Club Laserfest 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Sunday morning was once again sunny with a decent breeze and more forecast. Race officer Tom Bruton had the course ready for a prompt start with all five races completed in just two hours. Sadly, Harry Newton was unable to compete, but that left the stage to a dual between Charles Campion and Leo Yates for the first two places in all five races with Adam Whitehouse, Vojta Nemec, Bevis Field and Kevin Hall from WYC following close behind.

The Peter Raymer trophy for the top WYC racer went to Charles Campion who won the first day which was then rolled up into what was effectively race one of day two, and two of the five day two races.

Whitstable Yacht Club Laserfest 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Leo Yates took overall 2nd, first radial and first youth with a 3rd placing from day one and three wins and two 2nds on day two.

Finn Crockett from WYC took first cadet with 11th overall and Ruth Oliver was first lady with 12th overall.

Whitstable Yacht Club Laserfest 2023 - photo © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Adam Whitehouse, class captain in addition to taking 3rd overall thanked the race team and organisers agreed with the rest of the racers that the sprint format was a great success.

With thanks to our generous sponsors Holidaycottages.co.uk and Sail and Sport.

Overall Results: