Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series at Barton's Point Coastal Park - Week 7

Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series week 7 © Fiona Blair

Big winds again!

Before racing started the breeze forecast during the week showed over 20 knots predicted by midday. We found the predicted direction of WSW. This gave a start in front of the playground and windward mark some 60m into the lake. Breeze was under 15 knots, so all opted for the C rig by all nine racers.

Starboard tack off the start was favoured with almost all the fleet right at the start with Tim Townsend (45) making the early break but with the fleet like a pack of hounds right on his transom. The direction of the wind and waves gave choppy water continuing on the starboard tack and a tack to the right offered some shelter from a headland to the right of the windward mark. This allowed best speed through the water. Jamie Blair (51) took to the right and led at the windward mark and around the triangle sausage course only to make a mistake at the last leeward mark and going the wrong side. So close were the chasing pack that they pounced with Tim taking the win, Tony Alexander (04) second and Bob Woolford (76) third.

Race 2 the wind was up and one boat changed to D rig. The rest of the fleet persevered with the C rig with some spectacular nose diving on the downwind legs. Jamie using the right-side shelter led at the top mark. With the breeze up and too much sail up cutting the starboard lay line into the windward mark presented a new issue of leeway. Whilst it looked like boats were fetching the mark often in trying to shoot the mark boats came to a standstill. Some who thought they overstood managed to sail around the cluster almost parked at the mark. Jamie was ahead of the pack, opening up a gap as the blockade developed. Lucian Stone (75) came through and kept this second place. Tim was third.

Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series week 7 - photo © Fiona Blair

Race 3 saw almost all change to D rig and again much jockeying for position on the start. Tim pushing the fleet up and calls of "don't go in there" and a classic bow down just before the start to take command of the fleet and lead off. Most had now adopted a tack to the right but with the shifts either route could be correct. Tim won the race with Jamie second and Tony third.

Race 4 saw a run of firsts for Jamie. It was never straightforward with getting off the start with some extra speed key. Jamie scored first in races 5 & 6. Tim and Jon Moon (84) logging counting results. Great to see Spencer Pope (62) banking a third in race 5.

Race 7 saw Tim to the front, with mid fleet doing penalty turns. Jon came second. Race 8 produced a new winner with Lucian breaking clear and despite the efforts of the chasing pack held off to take his first win of the day. Jon and Tony again consistent results for the overall score.

Medway RC Laser Club Winter Series week 7 - photo © Fiona Blair

At the break Jamie led by 1 point from Tim and Jon close also. Close racing for the second half to look forward to. The line had been shifted to take account of the right shift and hopefully some port bias. Races 9 to 11 saw places swap for first amongst Tim and Jamie. Jon and Tony never far behind. With the line shift a port flyer by Jamie in race 10 across the fleet gave him control up the first beat, never to be given up.

Race 11 and 13 saw Charles pull out all the stops with a third and a second - Getting the hang of it.

The group at the front of the fleet carried on swapping places, with Lucian entering the fray in race 14. Behind the group Charles, Spencer and Andrew Nicholls (613) racing in their own competition. Andrew and Spencer had a moment in race 15 with turns to do they seemed to be attached by elastic with so many bumps in one leg!!

15 races completed. Jamie won overall, Tim second and Jon third. Close points between fourth and sixth with only 8 points splitting Tony, Lucian and Charles.

Our next Sunday racing is scheduled for the 11th February.

Week 7 Results: