Neil Pryde UKLA National and Open Laser Championships – Day 1

by UKLA on 3 Aug 2015 Neil Pryde UKLA National and Open Laser Championships – Located in the beautiful far west of Cornwall, Mount’s Bay Sailing Club are the hosts of this year’s Laser Nationals. With the beach stretching around the bay and St Michael’s Mount facing the clubhouse, the setting could not be more beautiful.

The forecast for the week ahead is variable with higher winds forecast for the early part of the competition and much lighter winds forecast for the end of the Nationals. However, this should ensure that the best sailors come out on top rather than a particular ‘specialist’ taking the honours.

Amongst the 40 Standard sailors who have made their way to Cornwall is Jack Aitken, the defending National Champion, and several members of the British Sailing Team.

Over 100 Radials have entered, so they will race in two flights for the start of the week before being split into Gold and Silver fleets later. Jon Emmet is defending his title, although he is facing stiff competition from top-level sailors such as Hannah Snellgrove.

The 30 plus 4.7 fleet includes a strong contingent from Ireland. With defending champion Arran Holman away sailing 420s, the way is open for a new Laser 4.7 National Champion to be crowned at the end of the week.

After a warm welcome from the club and registration with Dot and her team, the sailors were all ready for the racing to begin this morning. However, with PRO, Ken Falcon, waiting for the wind to settle, the sailors had a longish wait on the beach before launching.

All three fleets successfully completed two races in 10–17 knots, with occasional stronger gusts, although the black flag made an early appearance! The day’s racing was on the usual trapezoid course, with fleets competing on the inner or outer loop.

With a few shifts on every beat, it was important for all sailors to keep on the lifted tack, and the advice to go right proved most beneficial. A strong cross swell due to the tide coming in created a skewed downwind which created some difficulties for the sailors, especially due to the large obstacle of St Michael’s Mount!

In the Standard fleet, GBR sailing team member Martin Evan is topping the fleet with a first and a second, while fellow GBR sailing team member Jack Wetherell is in second with a fifth and first.

Hannah Snellgrove is in first in the Radial fleet, with two wins, and Ben Elvin is in second with a first and a second. Hannah said, ‘It was a really fun first day racing in a building breeze, with some great waves. The key was getting a good lane off the start, working some small shifts, hiking hard and enjoying the waves surfing downwind.’

With two bullets Benno Marstaller is leading the 4.7 fleet. Ross Thompson is second with a fourth and a second.

Stronger winds are forecast tomorrow, so it will be interesting to see how the results develop.

Results:

Standard

Martin Evans, three points
Jack Wetherell, six points
Denzil May, seven points

Radial

Hannah Snellgrove, two points
Ben Elvin, three points
Tim Brow, five points

4.7

Benno Marstaller, two points
Ross Thompson, six points
Gethin Owen, six points