Laser open

Laser Open 2010

Link to photos - Results - more photos from Katheryn & Hillary (12/7/10) - video from Richard / Sarah Mason

NOTTS COUNTY LASER OPEN 2010

A magnificent entry of 56 Lasers took part in Notts County's annual Laser open. The event is part of the Midlands Area Travellers Series and attracted entries from all over the Midlands, Yorkshire and beyond.

This year the event was sponsored by both GILL and SAILBOATS.CO.UK whose generosity enabled the organisers to spread the prizes throughout the fleet, majoring on the juniors and improvers.

The forecast was spot on with a challenging 15-20 knot blustery wind greeting the sailors for the 1st race. P.R.O Ken Twemlow, as usual, set a great course using the lake to full advantage. The fleet was well behaved and all 56 got off the start line at the first attempt. Early leader Tim Cripps finally succumbed to the more youthful duo of Rich Bennett and last years winner David Harper. Richard Mason used his local knowledge to get up with the leaders but it was Rich who took first place from David after a close final beat.

With the wind moderating slightly and beginning to go right, race 2 saw a general recall with the subsequent black flag start catching out several of both experienced and junior sailors. A big wind shift a couple of minutes into the race saw the pin end starters left high and dry whilst Tim and Jonathan Lye took full advantage and opened up a healthy lead at the windward mark. Martin Stott slowly clawed these two back and took second place with Jonathon taking the win.

With several of the favourites taking a poor result from this race the event was wide open going into the final race with any one from seven helms capable of taking the meeting.

The breeze was now seriously decreasing and again the black flag was in evidence. With much place changing the result was in doubt up to the end . Youth sailor Alex Leonard took a well deserved win but the battle for overall honours was just behind him. Martin made a great charge through the fleet to finish second but Rich just clung on in third to take the meeting by the smallest of margins.

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So, that is the formal report for Yachts and Yachting but, of course, much more happened during the day.

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who helped to make the day go so well. Adrien who helped me so much with the sponsorship and advertising; Ken, Sue and Rob who made a great race officer team; Hilary and Richard who took the entries; Ray and Pauline; and Kathryn (Hinscliffe Smith) who kept us amused all day in various roles but primarily as chief press officer! (Thats what she told me anyway)!

Also a big thankyou to the 3 safety crews, particularly Toni Whitehouse who stepped in at the last minute.

From the fleet of 56 we had a brilliant turnout of 39 Notts County boats!!

Of course, some of these entrants were 'guests' from other fleets taking the opportunity to sail in a good boat for the day!

We had a trio of windsurfers:- Pilks, Russ and Steve. Steve won the battle for top finisher whilst Pilko set a new record for most capsizes in a single day; a record that will never, ever, be surpassed. Well done, gents, you gave the gallery entertainment all day!

We had a total of 6 club youth and junior sailors competing, most of whom were entering their first major regatta.

Peter Anderson continued his adoption into the Laser class and finished the day as top junior. Alex Hughes put together a great string of results and took 3rd junior whilst Amy Robinson recovered from a black flag infringment to finish the day as 4th junior. All three of these sailors are in their first year of Laser sailing and did the club proud with their brilliant performances.

The Youth section had 3 NCSC sailors competing. Sam Buchan also suffered a black flag but put together a fine final race as the wind decreased and became more managable. Jack Clays boat polishing worked wonders putting him well up the fleet not far behind Dad.Top club helm in this category, true to form, was Rebecca Ogden, giving her 3rd Youth overall.

As usual the Masters category (over 45) was well subscribed with 26 entries.Martin took top honours having got rid of the girly rig after race and notched up two second places. Yours truly scrambled the runners up spot.

15 Radial rigs were in evidence. I think several helms were seriously underpowered as the winds decreased during the day and overall positions suffered because of this.Best home boat was Rob Marshall who took 3rd place.

8 4.7 rigs took to the water with Rebecca taking the runner up spot.

Louise Clayton proved her versatility as a helm by improving her position in every race and taking the title of top Lady.

Of note was the battle of the Slolos:- Simon and Ross decided to get into quality singlehanders for the day. And, I guess I have to be honest by saying they both did remakarbly well!Simon suffered with a shredded mainsheet prior to the start of race 1 but came back with two solid results to give him a very credible midway finish. Simon was one of those who suffered with being underpowered as the wind dropped. Ross, between playing up to the 'press team' fitted in three very credible race results and finished 22nd overall. See me for your new boats boys!

An open event is a good indication of how well our club sailors compere with others.The Midlands Circuit is well attended and there are some seriously good sailors competing week in, week out, at these events. I think it is testamount to the high level of Laser racing at our club that at this open 4 of the top 5 places were taken by our club members.( Jonathan Lye is NCSC but currently at Uni)

So, well done to us; we are obviously doing something right within the Laser fraternity as wherever we go our wonderful club is always talked about, particularly the opens.

The prizegiving was well attended and because of GILL and SAILBOATS.CO.UK we were able to award a mass of goodies in addition to the glass and silverware.

Last year we had an entry of 56 boats which proved to be the biggest Laser Traveller Open in the UK. Time will tell if we manage it again.

(For full results see link)

Tim

Results

Overall

1st Rich Bennett Staunton Harold

2nd Martin Stott Notts County

3rd Jonathan Lye Sheffield Uni/Notts County

4th Tim Cripps Notts County

5th Richard Mason Notts County

1st Youth Alex Leonard Pennine

1st Junior Peter Anderson Notts County