41st RSA Laser Regatta at Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club

2018 RSA Laser Regatta © Chantal Grass

A fantastic fleet of 37 Lasers participated in the 41st edition of the RSA Laser Regatta at Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club this Sunday with sailors coming from as far away as Port Ohope, Onerahi, Hamilton and the four corners of Auckland to compete in this much anticipated annual event. The weather came to the party allowing for some great racing conditions on the Basin with winds ranging between 10 to 17 knots. Shifty gusts caught many, even the top sailors, by surprise and a spectacle of acrobatic capsizes could be enjoyed by the public.

Rohan Lord (PBC) 2018 winner of the RSA Laser Regatta trophy - photo © Chantal Grass

Rohan Lord from Pupuke Boating Club and previous Laser National Champion and RSA winner in 1987 and 1989 was this year's winner leading the field in 4 of the races in the Laser Standards. Luuk Van Basten Batenburg from Pupuke and previous RSA winner in 2003 2010 and 2011 won the 5th race and came second overall. Mike Keaton from Pupuke came 3rd overall.

Kevin Welsh (PLSC) 1st Radial sailor - 2018 RSA Laser Regatta - photo © Chantal Grass

In the Radial fleet, PLSC's very own Kevin Welsh won the day which is his 4th win in that division, Samantha Stock from Murrays Bay Sailing Club and a member of the 2018 NZL Sailing Foundation Youth Team not only came second overall but as well first Junior sailor and first Woman sailor. Taylor Farrell from PLSC came second woman sailor and Helen Spencer from Hamilton Yacht Club came third woman and first Master Women sailor. Jim Quinn from Point Chevalier Sailing Club, a previous World Radial Great Grand Masters Champion and a legend (75+) was third Radial, an amazing achievement showing that skills not age matter.

Samantha Stock (MBSC) 2nd Radial, 1st Junior and 1st Woman sailor - 2018 RSA Laser Regatta - photo © Chantal Grass

The day closed with a BBQ of steak and sausages kindly donated by Manfreight followed by Prize giving. We have to thank our invaluable army of helpers who kept the whole day running like clockwork. Special thanks to Garth Briden and Jock Bilger for setting up a great arena for the regatta with a great course and some great starts. Need to thank of course our Sponsors who donated an impressive list of prizes.

2018 RSA Laser Regatta - photo © Chantal Grass

2018 RSA Laser Regatta - photo © Chantal Grass

Full Results

LASER Class

Sailed: 5, Discards: 1, To count: 4, Entries: 24, Scoring system: Appendix A

LASER RADIAL Class

Sailed: 5, Discards: 1, To count: 4, Entries: 15, Scoring system: Appendix A