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Laser Open 09
A suberb entry of 55 lasers thanks to Tim Cripps efforts, and didn't they pay off!!
Results - Video - Photos (note please e mail if you want a photo for non comercial use)
NOTTS COUNTY SAILING CLUB LASER OPEN 2009
A record entry of 56 lasers took part in Notts County’s Laser Open on Sunday 12th July 2009. The predicted weather conditions arrived on cue providing the 22 visitors and 34 club sailors with a 15-20 mph wind, exhilarating 30 mph gusts and bright sunshine; the absolute ideal for laser sailing.
Race Officer Nadina Lincoln had to be on top form to control such a large fleet, particularly off the start line. She met the challenge admirably setting challenging courses and having only one general recall for the day to contend with, a remarkable achievement.
Race 1 got away to a clean start with the early leaders coming from the pin end of the line. David Harper (Draycote) rounded the windward mark in the lead, caught a great gust on the ensuing reach and just powered away from the rest. Local sailors Dave Parker and Tim Cripps managed to get away from the pack and stayed in close contention for the remainder of the race with Dave taking the 2nd position from Tim. This was a challenging race for all with long tough beats and huge planing off wind legs providing plenty of thrills and spills, not only for the competitors but also for the large, knowledgeable (?) group of spectators on the club balcony!
The afternoon brought two back to back races. The one and only general recall occurred in the first of these but with the fleet holding back under the black flag they got away cleanly the 2nd time. A similar course had been laid and with an increased wind this was the race that sorted out the men from the boys……. And the boys won! A battle royal between Rich Bennett (Staunton Harold) and David Harper (Draycote) right to the finish was great to watch but again it was David who won giving him the meeting with a race to spare. Tim Cripps hung on to 3rd after fighting off the challenges of locals Simon Parker and David Parker.
Race 3 brought a change of course to give the sailors some brilliant powerful off wind sailing to finish off the day. This time Rich got the better of David and powered into the lead at the first mark which he held to the finish. Youth Sailor Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold) put in a late surge to take 3rd position from Steve Harper (Draycote).
Notts County’s policy for the laser meeting is to reward throughout the fleet. At the prize giving alongside the overall winners, prizes were also presented to radial sailors, 4.7, juniors, ladies, masters and special endeavours. Russ Towns, the Club President, presided over the prize giving and gave warm thanks to all competitors and voluntary helpers who made the event an overwhelming success.
RESULTS
OVERALL
1st and 1st Youth David Harper (Draycote)
2nd Rich Bennett (Staunton Harold)
3rd and 1st Master Tim Cripps (Notts County)
4th David Parker (Notts County)
5th and 2nd Youth Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold)
6th and 2nd Master Martin Stott (Notts County)
1st Radial Tom Mcevoy (Notts County)
1st 4.7 Becky Thomas (Barnt Green)
1st Lady Rachel Rhodes (Staunton Harold)
1st Junior Richard Kelsall (Banbury)