Laser Northern Grand Prix at West
Riding
27 boats entered the second leg of the Laser Northern Grand Prix Circuit at West Riding Sailing Club. The forecast was for sunshine but little wind as competitors turned up to see a glassy lake. However a building breeze filled in allowing race 1 to get underway with only a 15-minute postponement.
Neil Skellam made the most of the conditions, taking an early lead, before being overhauled by Ian Jones, with Robert Holmes coming through for second. The shifting winds dumped Skellam back into the pack, with Tim Keighley taking 3rd and Dave Exley 4th.
Race 2 saw local boy Matt Cook make a quick get away leading from Ian Jones. It wasn’t until the penultimate lap that Jones was able to take the lead, going on to win the race and the event. Tim Keighley came through to take 2nd place from Adrian Sandilands in 3rd, with Cook in 4th place.
The final race saw several podium contenders taking an early shower as Exley and Sandilands were OCS with the black flag flying. Stuart Bellfield then stormed to an unassailable lead as several of the chasing pack took a swim up the first beat, with a 90-degree swirling gust. The consistent Keighley came through for second place with Hamish Gledhill taking third and Alasdair McQuire 4th.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | Club | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Jones | 180031 | Dovestone SC | 2 |
| 2 | Tim Keighley | 193446 | West Riding SC | 4 |
| 3 | Robert Holmes | 185711 | Glasson SC | 8 |
| 4 | Hamish Gledhill | 188637 | West Riding SC | 8 |
| 5 | Adrian Sandilands | 182223 | Dovestone SC | 9 |
| 6 | Alasdair McQuire | - | West Riding SC | 9 |
| 7 | Dave Exley | 167605 | Leigh and Lowton SC | 12 |
| 8 | Stuart Bellfield | 189082 | Leigh and Lowton SC | 13 |
| 9 | Matt Cook | 169067 | West Riding SC | 13 |
| 10 | Neil Skellam | 188797 | Leigh and Lowton SC | 13 |
| 11 | Soren Vonsild | 0 | Scammonden Water SC | 17 |
| 12 | Adam Simms | 182623 | Yeadon SC | 18 |
| 13 | Tom Keegan | 192016 | Leigh and Lowton SC | 19 |
| 14 | Neil Barrett | 172697 | Leeds Uni SC | 21 |
| 15 | Tim Brownell | 170901 | Ulley SC | 25 |
| 16 | Abi Morgan | 64194 | West Riding SC | 26 |
| 17 | Adrain Thear | 173168 | West Riding SC | 26 |
| 18 | Grreg Booth | 179838 | Port Dinorwic SC | 27 |
| 19 | John Simms | 121822 | Yeadon SC | 31 |
| 20 | Brian Goodwin | 180694 | West Riding SC | 32 |
| 21 | Matt Velamail | 1 | West Riding SC | 32 |
| 22 | Kaye Tickle | 185302 | West Lancs YC | 39 |
| 23 | Megan Griffiths | - | Leigh and Lowton SC | 40 |
| 24 | Ben Williamson | 166335 | Royal Yorkshire YC | 40 |
| 25 | Chris Greenwood | 186947 | West Riding SC | 44 |
| 26 | Anna Langford | 170257 | West Riding SC | 45 |
| 27 | John Steward | 185714 | Yorkshire Dales SC | 47 |