Laser Grand Prix – 28 Boats rewarded with a force 4
Andrew Green wins the 2013 Laser Grand Prix with three bullets!
28 boats turned up to Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club to be rewarded with 15 knots of wind as part of the Northern Laser Grand Prix series on August 11th, with many sailors arriving fresh from the Nationals.
Gallery http://www.flickr.com/photos/16159040@N07/sets/72157635039742710/
With the wind blowing the length of the lake, racing commenced with a long first beat to the windward mark. Initially it was Hector Simpson (Yorkshire Dales) leading, followed by Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold) and Andrew Green (Leigh and Lowton). Green Managed to sail fast downwind to take the lead, which he managed to extend as the race progressed, with Simpson 2nd, Williamson 3rd and Andrew Stott (Leigh and Lowton) close behind in 4th.
The second race was a bit like “wacky races” for the first lap in gusty winds, with several capsizes and place changes. In the early stages it was Green, Jamie Purcell (Redesmere) and Ian Jones (Dovestone) leading the fleet. Green ended up winning the race, with Stott sailing through the fleet to finish 2nd, followed by Jones sailing well in a Radial and Simpson in 4th.
As Andrew Green had already taken the event, the fight was on for 2nd place in an enjoyable windward leeward course. As the third race progressed, it was Green, Stott and Simpson who pulled away from the fleet with Williamson close behind. Close racing and several place changes amongst the top 3 resulted in Green taking the win, followed closely by Stott and then Simpson.
In the Radials, It was a win for Ian Jones, Mitchell Kneale (Chester) in 2nd and Isacc Marsh (Scammonden) finishing 3rd.
The club put on a great event, with some very tired sailors at the end of the day! The next event on the Northern GP circuit is Glossop SC on 1st September.
Overall Results:
1st Andrew Green (Leigh and Lowton)
2nd Andrew Stott (Leigh and Lowton)
3rd Hector Simpson (Yorkshire Dales)
4th Craig Williamson (Staunton Harold)
5th and 1st Radial Ian Jones (Dovestone)
2nd Radial Mitchell Kneale (Chester)
3rd Radial Isacc Marsh (Scammonden)