Laser/ ILCA Open Meeting
Published 11:43 on 1 May 2023
On Saturday April 29th 17 competitors entered Spinnaker's annual ILCA/ Laser Open.
In the build up, no one could be sure whether the forecast swing round of a light early Northerly, to a less light Southerly would occur.
At 11 there were minor patches of wind under rather dull featureless skies. What would happen? Sure enough, by 1240 racing was underway under glorious blue skies and sparkling water, as the breeze filled in initially with some Easterly and then settling to a favourable South wind 'up and down' the lake.
The fleet started as two groupings and tackled first windward leg, followed by a broad reach to start the full length lake dead run. Then followed a second beat, reach and restart through the committee boat line. The run in particular saw tactical variety. Wide, straight, port, starboard? Competitors often came into the leeward mark bunched and using the rules and sail gybe setting to determine exit order. Not easy!. The 2nd windward leg too offered the most tactical opportunity to pick the pressure and shifted side. Early pace was shown by the ILCA 7 Standards by Spinnakers's Keith, fleet captain Gareth and Peter who looked good going into the break after 3 quite arduous races. In the ILCA 6 / Radial Harry made the perfect pre-break start, with Issy rarely many seconds behind and Cameron too. A well needed heat, drink and food break allowed some recharge. Restarting at 1500, Race 4 was run longer. So much so that one competitor 'finished' early and then hastily restarted. Adrian returning after 30 years showed improving pace all afternoon and took a 3 and 2. in the ILCA 6. Teo's after-break 1 and 2 showed him getting to grips with where to be on the race track. Keith and Harry gained further '1's to their score line and they take the Mary's Bell Trophy (a repeat for Keith) and the ILCA 6 Trophy. Credit to Oliver who was the sole ILCA 4 Laser 4.7 racer. Had the day been breezier then more would have selected that rig. On several occasions Oliver was amongst the Radials - quite some achievement.
See full results in the RESULTs tab.
Overall, thank you to all competitors, their supporting friends and family - who enjoyed grandstand views of the whole racetrack and close-in view of the starts. Also, particularly the safety and race officials and Neil from the club who attended to numerous snags to make an enjoyable day.
Last updated 15:50 on 12 January 2025
