Medway RC Laser Winter Series event 11 at Barton's Point Country Park, Isle of Sheppey

Medway RC Laser Winter Series event 11 © Fiona Blair

This outing was added to compensate for the lost days from high winds in February. Round 11 saw seven sailors take to the water with all in favour of A rigs.

Wind direction from the NE (6-8 knots) extremely light. A standard triangle course was set but with the wind shifting there was some port end bias. Starboard tackers were still able to close out those trying a port hand flier. Jamie Blair (51) took some early wins in Race 1-4. Good showing from Andrew Nicholls (613) and Mark Penny (03) with a string of 2nds and 3rds.

Medway RC Laser Winter Series event 11 - photo © Fiona Blair

The wind was shifting all the time so fleet never sure whether a port hand flier was on. The wind picked up and Roger Gibbs (32) sacrificed a race position in race 4 to change down to a B rig and not only did he pull off a clear port end start, led the feet to the windward mark and took race 5 well clear of the rest all still on A rigs. Race 6 saw Jamie in the lead again but on the last run a huge nosedive saw Mark and Roger sail away to collect a 1st and 2nd.

After the break the wind had veered through 90 degrees so some time lost with a course change. Four races were completed with the wind dying to zero at 12.15.

Medway RC Laser Winter Series event 11 - photo © Fiona Blair

Jamie won the day; second Mark and third Roger. Spencer despite some electrical issues early in the day managed to split the Brian/Andrew competition and take home a 5th overall. Andrew stayed ahead of ahead of Brian Lev'y (958).

We look forward to the next round on Sunday 17th April.

Round 11 Results: