Laser Northern Grand Prix Series Round 1 at Redesmere Sailing Club

Redesmere Laser Open © Peter Baldwin

Redesmere Laser Open © Peter Baldwin

After a somewhat unsettled Saturday of blustery winds, sunshine and showers, the gates to Redesmere Sailing Club were opened early on Sunday 26th April to welcome sailors to the first Laser Northern Grand Prix event of the 2015 series. The sixteen sailors who turned out were rewarded with clear blue skies and a light to moderate northerly breeze – one of the better directions for Redesmere!

The Race Officer got the briefing underway in good time and undeterred by an oscillating north north-westerly breeze, the first race got off to a clean start on schedule. At the first mark it was all still to play for and to add to the challenge, a flat spot on the approach to the second mark caught a few boats out and created a somewhat busy rounding. The race soon settled down and it was not long before Ian Jones established his position at the front of the fleet with Alan Mason, Tim Lowe and Charlotte Greenhalgh hot on his heels. After around 50 minutes of racing Greenhalgh had not only closed the gap between herself and Jones, but had taken him on the last beat. Meanwhile Oliver Davenport had picked his way up the fleet to finish hot on the heels of Lowe.

The fleet remained on the water for the second race, which was held directly following the first, and the slick operation on the race boat meant that after only a short wait, racing was again underway. Jones quickly established his position at the front of the fleet while Davenport, Greenhalgh, Adrian Sandilands and Andrew Robinson battled it out just behind. This time however Jones retained his lead for the full duration and crossed the finish line with a comfortable lead, followed by Robinson and Greenhalgh. Lunch was then served and after making the most of the glorious spring sun and the new waterside decking, sailors made their way back onto the water for the final race of the day. Jones again took the lead early on while Davenport secured a second and Greenhalgh came home third.

Ian Jones of Dovestone secured first place on the day and his first win of the series. Charlotte Greenhalgh of Leigh and Lowton finished second (first lady), and Oliver Davenport of Redesmere finished third. Next event at Yeadon – 10th May.

Overall Results: