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Laser open meeting at Tynemouth Sailing Club

by Neil Schofield 22 Jul 2021 15:08 BST 10 July 2021
Laser open meeting at Tynemouth © Colin Edgar

On Saturday the 10th of July a mixed group of 19 Laser sailors from the North of England assembled at a Tynemouth Sailing Club at what can only be described as a very calm day.

After the normal shoreside activities the decision was made to race and the fleet departed the beach at around 10:30 hoping for a sea breeze to arrive in time for the first start at 11:30. The wind was holding as a steady but light easterly allowing Race Officer Howard Stevenson to set a course in an area north of the Mouth of the Tyne under the beautiful cliffs of Tynemouth Priory and the longing stares of the sunseekers flocking the white sands of Longsands beach.

Despite having the distraction of a pod of dolphins appearing in the middle of his race course Howard had everything set up in time for the first race.

Wind conditions at the start of the first race were far from ideal with average wind speeds of circa 3.5kts this combined with an incoming tide led to some challenging sailing conditions. Things did begin to improve as the afternoon progressed with the last two races being run in slightly improved wind speed of 4-5kts.

With the majority of the fleet comprising of ILCA 7s, with one Radial and one 4.7, all fleets started together. Racing was close throughout the day with positions changing through the fleet continually.

The local crowd did appear to have the advantage of understanding the local tidal conditions with Nathan Batchelor (Tynemouth SC) wining the first race followed closely by Tim Keighley (West Riding SC) and John Pitkethly (Tynemouth SC) in third.

Race two followed on with more close racing ending with Nathan in first, Tim in second with Mel Landamore (Tynemouth SC) third.

There was genuine excitement at the start of race three after the race officer raised the 'black flag' after the first attempt at a start was swiftly followed by a general recall. The fleet did however get away cleanly following the second attempt. Although Nathan and Tim finished in first and second again the fight for third position was hotting up - eventually going to Chris Mayes (Tynemouth SC).

All in all the sailing was fun and the event was well organised thanks to the team at Tynemouth.

Nathan Batchelor and Tim Keighley decisively secured first and second overall respectively, the battle for third was much tighter with three boats equal on points and, after countback, it was eventually decided in favour of Chris Mayes.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCategoryClubPYR1R2R3Pts
1218058Nathan BatchelorAdult (18‑34)Tynemouth SC1100‑1112
2214942Tim KeighleyMaster (45+)West Riding SC1100‑2224
3210409Chris MayesGrand Master (55+)Tynemouth SC1100‑7437
4166583John PitkethlyApprntc Master (35+)Tynemouth SC11003‑547
5161643Melanie LandamoreApprntc Master (35+)Tynemouth SC110043‑67
6184361Richard WatsonAdult (18‑34)Tynemouth SC1100‑96511
7159433Mike ShipwayGr Grand Master (65+Tynemouth SC11005‑7712
8RadialThomas BatesYouth (u 18)Ripon SC114768‑914
9212661Sven RichardsMaster (45+)Tynemouth SC110089‑1217
10160354Drew RobertsonAdult (18‑34)Tynemouth SC1100‑1512820
11206487Richard BensonGr Grand Master (65+Tynemouth SC1100‑11111122
12166305Andrew NelMaster (45+)Tynemouth SC1100‑14141024
13130485Anthony WaltonAdult (18‑34)Tynemouth SC110010‑151424
1464552Rachel HeesomMaster (45+)Tynemouth SC1100‑16101525
15143480Philip CowansAdult (18‑34)Tynemouth SC110012‑131325
16198866Stephen WrightMaster (45+)Tynemouth SC110013‑171730
17Laser 4.7Spirit AldersonYouth (u 18)Ullswater YC1208‑17161632
18199288Beverley HoweGrand Master (55+)Tynemouth SC1100‑18181836
19148726Colin GardinerGrand Master (55+)Tynemouth SC1100‑22222244
20Laser 4.7Henry SmithYouth (u 18)West Riding SC1208‑23232346
20152661Richard FaheyMaster (45+)Tynemouth SC1100‑23232346

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