RC Laser Autumn Series at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club - Day 3
by Tony Wilson 22 Nov 2016 17:39 AEDT
20 November 2016
We had the friendly prompt from our Elizabeth by email midweek that goes out to now 20 Fleetwood Laser skippers asking for a yes or no in advance for Sunday. Liz used to be our race officer and I can tell you she did a brilliant job keeping the troops in order. There was no dilly dallying on the start line and she wouldn't stand for any sorts of mutiny.
The forecast seemed as if it was going to be similar to a fortnight ago. Unfortunately down south the first named autumn storm 'Angus' was going to whistle up through the English channel with 60-70mph winds, gusting possibly 80mph. Up north we had the all clear as the dividing line between good and worse was somewhere around central England.
Six skippers had replied with a yes although we actually had 10 which was a good turnout.
Derek Priestly was joining us and also Shaun Holbeche was obviously back off sports camera duty, and it was these two that would be setting the standards and leading the way.
The drive in to Fleetwood was nice and you could see right across Morecambe Bay up to the snow capped peaks of the lake district in the Cumbrian hills.
As for the last couple of weeks again we had a Northerly, except this time it was lighter in strength, this meant the course could be a nightmare. We used a figure of eight for the first race, although this seemed a bit short. Rather than adding another lap we opted for an additional triangle part way through to lengthen each race. This was the format set for the whole day.
Shaun H. easily won the first couple of races, leaving the rest of us looking a bit bewildered and having to mess about with our sail settings. Derek P came after the first couple of races had been sailed, he always likes to give us a head start. John Plant thought he would follow suit and come a bit later as he can usually happily throw away more of his discards, unless he'd just had a late night.
The morning had all 8 races sailed in the B suit, but it was to change as the winds were starting to ease over lunch break.
All came out after butties and a cuppa with the big daddy sails attached and it was going to get tough over on that far bank. Now if storms can have a name then I also think buoys can also adopt one and I think that far one along the middle stretch should be called 'Anguish', as there must have been some cursing going on if you didn't get your pathway right.
Any slow down in movement which was already at snails pace could leave you attached to the mark along with a couple of colleagues.
Although Derek left out the last couple of races also, due to battery troubles (should have gone to Ever Ready) he still managed an honourable fourth place. Trevor had rudder servo problems, not only with his own boat but doubled as it happened with the loan boat also. He stood looking like a child at the fairground trying to hook a duck for 10 minutes as his boat just kept rotating on a locked rudder.(come in N0 32 your time is up)
Shauns many wins gained him first place.(It must be boring out at the front on your own)
Second went to Eric and Jim came third even though earlier on he was heard groaning a little to whether he really liked Laser sailing.
Without a race officer the places are taken by whoever gets in first. The final results are then all added by our faithful Laser captain Trevor.
It was a good day.
If you missed this one, the next one is in a fortnight and could be the last this year if, as rumour has it, the lake may be drained very shortly. Keep an eye on the website, www.fleetwoodmypbc.org.uk
Day 3 Results:
1. Shaun Holbeche
2. Eric Reid
3. Jim Lydon