Laser 12Hr race at West Lancashire Yacht Club

The 2009 Laser 12 hour race took place at West Lancashire Yacht Club on Saturday 25th April 2009.

This race is unique as it requires a combination of endurance and team work the helm changing every couple of hours, which together with the rules, allowing rig changes, creates an interesting race of dedication, teamwork and commitment

The race commenced at 8.00am, after bacon butties and coffee. A decent breeze saw the eighteen boat fleet vying for places at the windward mark with the fleet down the lake.

Burwain took the lead and took the prize for the winners of the fastest first 2 laps. Team Southport was chasing them along with West Riding Sailing Club. Just behind them the battle for 4th and 5th were two teams from Leigh and Lowton - a battles of ages between the Juniors and Adults. The junior team held the rival adults off for a while but eventually took 5th position.

The race saw a number of battles being fought both at the front and in mid fleet, team Elton Wizards were working on catching up Pilkington Sailing Club who won the fastest lap at 12 o clock.

At the front Burwain were overtaken by Team Southport who held the lead for a short time before West Riding made the front running. The positions kept changing with the top 4 all very close in contention. Towards the end both West Riding and Burwain pulled away which left Team Southport who managed to pull away from Leigh and Lowton leaving them to chase once again.

The Winners of the 2009 12 Hour Laser Race were Team Southport with Burwain second, and West Riding third. The First Juniors team was Leigh and Lowton Junior A team with the first ladies team being Leigh and Lowton Ladies.

We would like to thank the sponsors 1st Mark for all their help in supporting this event.

Overall Results:

1st Team Southport
2nd Burwain SC
3rd West Riding
4th One Leigh & Lowton
5th Elton Wizards