RC Laser Winter Series event 3 at Medway Yacht Club

RC Laser Winter Series event 3 at Medway © Jamie Blair

The day dawned with a forecast of anything between 8 knots and 30 knots. What we had for the morning racing was SSW 15-24 knots. Despite the forecast eleven racers braved the elements to complete twelve races.

Low level sunshine also provided a distraction for the downwind section of the trapezoid course with the outer loop leeward mark directly into the sun. Sunglasses and baseball caps gave some help.

With the wind the opportunity to pull the trigger early was ever present, resulting in the fleet shooting down the line as the seconds ticked away. Those that hung back at the windward end gained the most on the first beat and as the previous outing Tim Townsend (45) immediately stamped his mark by winning the first race. Others that started at the favoured end Jon Moon (84) and Pete Freeman (63) came in second and third. The strong wind retained the difficulties of tacking and the frustrations when going up the beat. Some spectacular nosediving brought cheers from all those watching.

D rig was the sail of the day. As the day progressed it was sometimes the techy bits fail, sometimes the driver looking at the wrong boat (going aground!) and other times it is other boats getting in the way.

RC Laser Winter Series event 3 at Medway - photo © Jamie Blair

12 races were sailed until our cut-off time of 12.30 and without getting wet - rain passed us by, but the cold of the wind wasn't even tempered by the heat from the café wood burner at half-time. At the break Tim had taken the lead but with just 4 points splitting the first four places the opportunities to win the day and jump places were open for all.

From the break resolutions of "must do better" were realised by Mark Penny with a number of top four results. Sarah Mason in her first outing this year showed some great promise only to be scuppered by the tacking difficulties. Roger Gibb was consistent throughout all races and will be a threat in coming weeks.

Taking the shifts up the beat wasn't always recommended and a decision of minimum number of tacks giving best results, along with judging the starboard lay line into the windward mark. A number of races saw a cluster of boats frantically trying to tack to make the mark either with nowhere to go with starboard tackers or the option of gybing round as successful solution.

The main rivals this week of five boats divided the race wins; Tim taking the lion share with five.

RC Laser Winter Series event 3 at Medway - photo © Jamie Blair

Tim won the day, Jamie second and Pete Freeman in third.

Next for Round 4 - Sunday 22nd December. Details of location and start times on www.rclaser.org.uk/events

Overall Results:

RC Laser Winter Series event 3 at Medway - photo © Jamie Blair