Laser Northern Grand Prix at Redesmere Sailing Club
6 April 2008
By Phil Gibson

The morning started with snow on the ground and no wind. By the time the first race started, the wind had managed to reach about 6mph. A turnout of 21 sailors in total started the day including 13 visitors.

In the first race, after a general recall, Joe Hanson (Redesmere) was the first round the windward mark followed closely by the rest of the pack. As the race progressed Adrian Sandilands (Dovestone) took a significant lead with Ian Lees (Dovestone) chasing and Elliot Hanson (Redesmere) close behind in his Radial. Adrian Sandilands held the lead until the last beat, but shortly before the finish he was pipped by Ian Lees with Elliot Hanson third.

The second race started in similar conditions to the first with Tom Keegan (Leigh & Lowton) first to the windward mark. He maintained his lead from start to finish with Tim Lowe (Redesmere) right behind him all the way. Pete Mitchell (Winsford) took third.

In the third race it snowed from start to finish and became more gusty as the race progressed. Joe Hanson was again first to the windward mark. Adrian Sandilands then took the lead and held on to win the final race with Stuart Belfield (Leigh & Lowton) second and Joe Hanson third. Elliot Hanson closely missed out on a credible fourth place as his mast snapped just before the finish line.

All in all this was a great days racing in difficult Redesmere conditions.

Overall Results:

Sailed:3, Discards:1, To count:2, To qualify:2,

1st LASER 182223 Adrian Sandilands Dovestone 2.0 (9.0) 1.0 3.0
2nd LASER 182224 Ian Lees Dovestone 1.0 (5.0) 5.0 6.0
3rd LASER 186697 Tim Lowe Redesmere 4.0 2.0 (22.0 DNC) 6.0

4th LASER 171883 Joe Hanson Redesmere (22.0 DNF) 4.0 3.0 7.0
5th LASER 182474 Peter Mitchel Winsford 5.0 3.0 (7.0) 8.0
6th LASER 192016 Tom Keegan LLSC (9.0) 1.0 9.0 10.0
7th LASER 189082 Stuart Belfield LLSC (8.0) 8.0 2.0 10.0
8th LASER R 177570 Elliot Hanson Redesmere 3.0 7.0 (22.0 DNF) 10.0
9th LASER 173780 Chester Candish LLSC 7.0 (22.0 DNF) 6.0 13.0
10th LASER 186436 Howard Green LLSC (10.0) 10.0 4.0 14.0

11th LASER 160618 Harry Cheetham Budworth 6.0 (22.0 DNF) 8.0 14.0
12th LASER 182229 Tom Goddard Dovestone (13.0) 11.0 11.0 22.0
13th LASER 100184 Chris White Redesmere 11.0 (15.0) 12.0 23.0
14th LASER 182292 David Gamble Elton (16.0) 14.0 10.0 24.0
15th LASER R 182287 Andrew Dawson WFSC (15.0) 12.0 14.0 26.0
16th LASER 151208 Dave Wainwright Redesmere (14.0) 13.0 13.0 26.0
17th LASER 130775 Jimmy Whitehead Redesmere (22.0 DNC) 6.0 22.0 DNF 28.0
18th LASER R 186436 Katlyn Green LLSC (22.0 OCS) 18.0 15.0 33.0
19th LASER 144615 Rob Wilbraham Redesmere 17.0 16.0 (22.0 DNF) 33.0
20th LASER 170471 N Skellam LLSC 12.0 (22.0 OCS) 22.0 DNF 34.0
21st LASER R 136025 Adam Millington Redesmere 18.0 17.0 (22.0 DNC) 35.0