Laser 'Big Monday' at Parkstone Yacht Club

by John & Ann Keates 3 Jul 2015 07:01 UTC 29 June 2015

Laser 'Big Monday' at Parkstone Yacht Club © Roger Hake

On most Monday evenings between late April and early September, lasers from Parkstone Yacht club are able to enjoy 2 races, each lasting about 30-35 minutes. Usually, about 20+ boats turn up, but on Monday 29th June, things were a little different.

54 Lasers, including standard and radial rigs, answered the call of the Fleet Captains, (a.k.a. Commanding Officer & Dog Robber) to make this evening a 'Big Monday'.

The concept of a 'Big Monday' was born two seasons ago, where we had 34 and then 45 boats. We were delighted to top the fifty mark on this occasion, and it was also brilliant to see such a mix of youth, masters and quite a few who were closer to the latter distinction than the former! We were also joined by the club's Commodore, Brian Drake, who drove the committee boat and Steve Tyler, the club's Hon. Sailing Secretary who steered his brother-in-law's laser with a competence that belied his recent lack of experience in single-handers.

Members of the club's ladies' night sailors (about a dozen of these sail Lasers) also joined in, which made the area just off the club's marina quite a crowded place to be.

It was a gorgeous, summer evening of gentle breezes: perfect for accommodating such a wide variety of racing expertise. Two races were sailed, using a Gate Boat style start. The Race Officer, Andrew Taylor, set us the longest beat he could in a partially restricted area, (Cruisers, J24s and others also sail on Monday nights), which compromised the reaches but, crucially, enabled the fleet to round the windward mark without too much argy-bargy!

Both races were won in fine style by Nathanial Gordon but he had stiff competition from Giles Kuzyck and Roberta Hartley.

The evening was nicely rounded off by the Fleet Captains' use of fleet funds to buy all participants a free drink. But we were assured that this offer had nothing to do with the excellent turn-out!

www.parkstonelasers.org.uk

Results:

Place	Name	Place
1	Nathanial	1
2	Roberta	2
3	Giles	3
4	Commanding Officer	4
5	Chris G	5
6	Gary H	6
7	Iain R	7
8	Pete T	8
9	George K	9
10	Pete N	10
11	192450	11
12	Richard P	12
13	Tim A	13
14	Peter G	14
15	Simon B	15
16	Ross Neville‑Jones	16
17	Rob C	17
18	Ashley H	18
19	Lydia James	19
20	Bob C	20
21	Bob A	21
22	Steve Tyler	22
23	Dog Robber	23
24	Nigel P	24
25	Courtney	25
26	169013	26
27	David H	27
28	Gary W	28
29	Mike A	29
30	Amanda Corn	30
31	Phil M	31
32	Trevor A	32
33	Richard S	33
34	Matt V	34
35	Mark S	35
36	169027	36
37	Peter Castle	37
38	Ben Lees‑Smith	38
39	Katie Stoate	39
40	Eve K	40
41	Matt S	41
42	David Pratt	42
43	195734	43
44	Mike Hennesy	44
45	Kiersten Metcalfe	45
46	John S	46
47	Luke N	47
48	Rosie A?	48
49	Judith	49
50	Eden	50
51	Alison W	51
52	Helen	52
53	Colston	53
54	Marie‑Laure	54