Laser Northern Grand Prix at Leigh & Lowton SC

Results - http://www.monkeyit.co.uk/llsc/Results/Solo%20Open%2008.htm

Gallery - http://picasaweb.google.com/rfthomason/LaserAndSoloOpenSeptember2008#

Sunday dawned with little wind and a forecast to match. As the 39 laser sailors began to rig their boats in bright sunshine, their prayers were answered as the wind kicked in to a force two to three from the north west - which allowed OOD Gareth Williams to set a tactically challenging course utilising a good proportion of the lake.
Race one started with a shock for the solo fleet who were starting second as a well behaved laser fleet got away on their first allocated start without the usual string of over eager general recalls. Ian Lees rounded the windward mark in 1st position and despite the over exertions of the night before stayed there throughout the race. Alistair Docherty and Sarah Yeates made an amazing recovery coming from the late teens to join Ian in 2nd and 3rd place for the majority of the race eventually losing their positions to Greg Booth and Stuart Belfield played the shifty conditions to good effect.

As always, the visitors were treated to some of Ann’s cooking for lunch, from the Leigh and Lowton galley. Race two got away smoothly - Paul Heath managed to get around the windward mark in 1st, closely followed by Neil Skellam, Chester Candish and Howard Green. Unfortunately for Howard he managed to put in his third capsize of the day leaving him to battle out the rest of the race in plenty of dirty air. Chester fell prey the patches offwind, allowing Lee Thomas, Alistair Docherty and Stuart Belfield to come through in that order. Stuart having come from 12th place overhauling many of the fleet down the final run as the wind died.

By the third race there were still six sailors who could win overall - Paul Heath, Ian Lees, Neil Skellam, Alistair Docherty, Greg Booth and Lee Thomas. Stuart led followed by Paul, then Neil with Ian snapping at their heels. Positions changed regularly throughout the race and the first few boats came round the final mark line astern, resulting in a cliff hanger for the final beat to the line. Neil infringed Ian and the resulting turns put him out of the contention. Stuart Belfield took the bullet, whilst Heathy just managed to hold off Ian for the win overall. First Radial went to Jack Weatherell, first youth to Alistair Docherty and first lady to Kaye Tickle.

The Revett series commences on the 16th November at Leigh and Lowton and marks the first of two open series where non club members can compete for a small fee which includes boat storage. With an even better turnout than last year expected, where it wasn’t uncommon to see twenty plus lasers on the water, it is well worth marking on the calendar – please see our website for further details http://www.llsc.org.uk/.