NSW and ACT Laser titles preview the Nationals

by Vanessa Dudley on 17 Nov 2010 Fresh north-easterly breezes for the NSW and ACT Laser championships on Botany Bay gave the fleet a preview of the action-packed sailing that will be on offer over Christmas/New Year, when Georges River Sailing Club hosts the 2010-2011 Australian Open Laser championships.

The regatta over the weekend of 13-14 November attracted a total of 120 boats and sailors ranging from teenagers through to great-grand-masters (aged 65-plus).

Most years there are two separate NSW and ACT titles for Laser sailors, with a Masters series open to those aged 35-plus each November and then an Open series for all ages in February. This year, however, given the administrative effort going into organising both the Open and a new Masters national series in NSW this season, the two State series were merged into one event.

Racing was conducted in five fleets, with the Laser 4.7s for junior and lightweight senior sailors; two Laser Radial fleets – one for Open and Apprentice (aged 35-44) sailors, and the other for Radial Masters – and two Standard rig fleets, divided along the same lines as the Radials.

The race committee led by Colin Chidgey got two races for all fleets away on the windy Saturday afternoon, in spite of the threatening encroachment of storm clouds from the west. With the breeze building to 20-25kts in the gusts against an ebb tide on the shallow Botany Bay waters, the short chop built quickly and there were some great downwind rides to be had, in between some tough slogging upwind.

On Sunday the fleet had a two-hour wait on the water until the fickle morning north-westerly gave way to another building north-east sea-breeze, and a further two races for all divisions completed in 12-20 knots.

Outstanding 4.7 sailors across the weekend were Tim Narborough of Cronulla SC and Milly Bennett of Royal Prince Alfred YC, with the title going to Tim on countback.

Krystal Weir of Sandringham YC (Vic) took out the Open and Women’s Radial titles, holding off the Youth winner Alex South of Double Bay SC who had the setback of a broken sail outhaul system on day one.

Richard Bott of Middle Harbour Amateur SC won every race of the Apprentice Radial fleet.

David Early of Georges River SC, a new entry in the Masters age bracket, managed to edge Adam French of Gosford SC out of the Radial Masters title by just one point; while Peter Heywood of DBSC claimed the Grand Masters Radial title on countback from John Sprague (GSC) and Lew Verdon (MHASC) was a clear winner in the Great Grand Masters fleet.

Winner of the Open division in the Standard rig fleet was James Burman of Hunters Hill SC from Jack Sprague of Gosford SC, who took out the Under 21 title.

Chris Caldecoat of South Lake Macquarie Amateur SC won the Standard rig Apprentice title, while Sean Atherton-Feeney celebrated his step up from Apprentice to Masters ranks by winning that series from Larry Kleist (GSC) and Ian Young (GRSC). Grand Masters winner was Mark Philips (Bayview Yacht Racing Association) from Rob Lowndes (MHASC).

The smooth running of the event was greatly aided by Kath Hermann, who travelled up from country Victoria to manage the race office, and her stalwart service to the class association was warmly applauded by the fleet during the presentation of trophies.

NB Laser Sales, now under new management by Rob McMillan and his team, put up some great lucky door prizes which were drawn at a sausage sizzle after Saturday’s sailing. Popular winner of the top prize of a new Laser sail was Rob Lowndes, while Tim Alexander won hiking pants and Peter Stephinson scored a boat cover.

Incredibly, this was the 35th Laser & ACT championship that class veteran Frank Walsh has contested. The MHASC Grand Master has contested ever series since 1975, missing only one – and that was when the association changed the series’ normal dates at late notice for a weekend he could not attend.

For full results, visit the NSW & ACT Laser Class Association website at http://www.laser.asn.au/

For information and to enter the 2010-2011 Australian Open Laser Championships at Georges River Sailing Club (27 December to 4 January), visit http://www.laser.asn.au/1011nats/opennats.html.

For information and to enter the 2010-2011 Australian Masters Laser Championships at Port Stephens Sailing & Aquatic Club (11-14 February) , visit http://www.laser.asn.au/1011nats/mastersnats.html.