Laser Midland Grand Prix – Round seven overall

Ellie Craig, first Radial amongst the Standard rigs in the Laser Midlands GP at Swarkstone - Laser Midland Grand Prix Swarkstone Sailing Club

Craig Williamson, winner of the Laser Midlands GP at Swarkstone - Laser Midland Grand Prix © Swarkstone Sailing Club

The race officer set a course that led the fleet between the islands for the race one, this resulted in a channel with the highly variable wind. The local sailors seemed to know exactly how to sail this, but Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold and Hayling Island) and Joe Scurrah (Carsington) soon managed to work it out to lead the fleet around for two laps. They were joined by Paul Williamson (Staunton Harold) who took the lead when Craig missed the gate mark out to win race 1 from Craig and Joe. The race two saw local sailors Ian Monk and John Hainsworth lead around the first few marks, Joe and Craig soon overhauled them, this time with Joe beating Craig over the line to win with John Hainsworth third. Three sailors had a chance of winning going into race three. Craig took an early lead from Rich Bennett (Staunton Harold) having just recovered from a broken outhaul in race two. Joe spent much of the race catching the leading two, but it wasn't quite enough. Leaving Craig Williamson first from Joe Scurrah second and Paul Williamson third.

Ellie Craig (Staunton Harold) was first Radial, Lady and Youth, she sailed a fantastic final race finishing fourth bend the three leading Standards. Regular Radial sailors Harrison-Bradbury-Knight (Trimpley) and Rebecca Grimshaw (Staunton Harold) were second and third.

The overall series leader after seven events is Alex Homer from Midland Sailing Club, with icy Bennett second and Ryan Lettinga (Carsington) third. The Midland Grand Prix series consists of 21 events with six to count so there is still along way to go. The series continues at Blithfield on 10th May and Ogston on 24th May.

Results