RC Laser Winter Series event 3 at Medway Yacht Club

RC Laser Winter Series event 3 at Medway © Fiona Blair

Barton's Point Country Park welcomed the new year with sunshine and a SSW wind that was ranging between 14 and 18 knots.

Twelve sailors readied themselves and after discussion in the car park the sail of choice was the C Rig. With the fluctuating breeze and with the course set in a sheltered area to the east of the Café a number took their B Rigs to the race area.

The race area provides an area of calmer water but means the beat is relatively short. After two races the regular triangle sausage arrangement was changed to include a second triangle.

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

To everyone's relief we didn't have our National Judge to ensure fair play. Our pre-race briefing did confirm we were racing under the Racing Rules of Sailing and "Sorry" was not a response!

So eager were all the sailors that a practice race was run to give those not normally out could wet their appetite. Within the 12 we welcomed two from Ramsgate in Mike Brand and Paul Woodward. The success of the practice race (bad omen stuff) by Jamie Blair saw his first race go to pot; similarly, Adrian Tomlinson. Tim Townsend started from the windward end of the line and after the short version of the race registered the first bullet of the day.

After race 3 "normal service" resumed with Jamie leading the standings and Adrian just behind. No reason to be complacent as the wind had started to shift so the pin end began to favour for some of the starts.

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

Race 4 saw a different winner with Paul Woodward stretching out a handsome lead as traffic around marks slowed the rest of the fleet. The windward mark was some distance away and with traffic the number of boats missing the mark was not a surprise; frustrating - definitely. At this point only 3 points divided 1st to 6th.

Paul continued his winning streak for race 5 and shot the top of the standings; Jon Moon, Jamie and Mark Penny completing the top 4. A servo failure in the Tim Townsend boat scuppered the rest of his morning.

At the coffee break after race 7 it was still very tight at the top with Jamie leading from Jon Moon, Paul and Mark. Paul's time on the water was ended with electrical issues, leaving the others to battle it out over the next seven races. Adrian had behind the pack but after the break he was truly revitalised. So too was Tony Alexander who had suffered mainsheet issues after a coming together with Bob Woolford in race 3. His string of results saw him jump up the standings so next time out we expect great things.

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

After Race 11 Adrian and Jamie were only one point apart and Mark also snapping at their heels. Great to see Spencer Pope take away a second place and some good standings in other races. Charles Pegram also showed some new speed and an average of 6th across the 12 races to count.

Adrian continued his winning stream right through to race 14, eventually winning by 5 points after discards.

Round 3 continued to demonstrate the super competitive racing available at Barton's Point. We look forward to the next round on Sunday 9th January, weather and Covid permitting.

Round 3 Results: