Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series at Barton's Point Coastal Park - Week 1
by Jamie Blair 5 Dec 2023 16:43 GMT
3 December 2023
The forecast gave some hope of racing in 12 -18 knots and with the potential of rain. This was the first race of the series; some boats were not out from hiding during the summer months. We welcomed six sailors to race.
No change in the course layout with a triangle/sausage course with the start/finish a third way up the beat. Wind in the SE gave a very suitable course close to the car park. No café so the smell of bacon rolls was not going to be a distraction.
The wind was at the top of B rig, so some chose B rig and one other C Rig. The start line provided a starboard bias and even after the long layoff all the starts were fiercely competed.
In race 1 Jamie Blair (51) popped a nose ahead and with clear air and some tacks in the shifts got to the 1st mark in the lead with Jon Moon (84), Tony Alexander (04) and Roger Gibb (32) (the only C rig) close behind.
Jon Moon and the fleet took advantage over 51 at the start of race 2 with her being caught in irons. Jon led the whole race and with the wind softened but continued to shift providing opportunity to win and lose places.
No mistakes in the next four races as 51 continued to take an early lead and lead to the finish. The challenge from by Jon and Tony was always a mistake away.
After race 3 Roger changed up to a B rig and produced his best result of a second place. He repeated again in race 5 along with Spencer Pope (62) in third.
Race 6 saw some rain appear but with the race under way the fleet making a clean start and Spencer the closest to the windward mark. He made the windward mark in front with the whole fleet hunting him down. Down the loop run he still had the race lead with rounding the leeward mark ahead. 51 was right behind and a wide rounding allowed 51 to track up the windward side of 62 and taking the race.
To shelter from the rain and warm up in cars we took a short break.
We managed 3 races before the rain became too much. Jamie continued in two the raves along with the consistent Jon finishing second. Andrew Nicholls (613) posting his best result of a fourth.
The last race (race 9) saw 51 over the line and with the turn back to restart saw the fleet move up the beat and too far to catch. Tony seized the opportunity to lead the fleet with Jon close behind and Roger again showing great speed.
Jamie won the day. Jon second. A very close score for 3rd, 4th and 5th
Our next set of races will be on Sunday 10th December 2023.
Week 1 Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 51 | Jamie Blair | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑5 | 7 |
| 2nd | 84 | Jon Moon | 2 | 1 | 3 | ‑5 | ‑4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| 3rd | 4 | Tony Alexander | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | ‑5 | 3 | ‑6 | 4 | 1 | 20 |
| 4th | 32 | Roger Gibb | 3 | 6 | (DNF) | 2 | 2 | (DNF) | 3 | 5 | 3 | 24 |
| 5th | 62 | Spencer Pope | ‑5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | ‑6 | 25 |
| 6th | 613 | Andrew Nicholls | ‑6 | 5 | 5 | ‑6 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 35 |