West Riding Sailing Club, Wakefield, Yorkshire | Laser Northern Grand Prix 2010

Laser Northern Grand Prix 2010

Laser Northern Grand Prix Open

11^th April

Photos can be viewed here

Twenty Lasers, including 12 visitors, took part in the West Riding SC leg of the Laser Northern Grand Prix series. A discouraging forecast was surpassed when the clouds rolled away and the wind piped up to give some offwind planing in the gusts. With the wind in an unfavourable northeast, to east direction for the water, the beats were full of opportunities or pitfalls depending on how you viewed the irregular shifts.

Ian Jones has dominated northern Laser sailing for some years and he gave a master class in the first race. Initially behind Abi Morgan, who sailed the first beat of her life, Ian hit the shifts with robotic efficiency to sail into an incredible lead of over 5 minutes. As Abi slipped back, Tim Keighley and Hamish Gledhill fought for second spot. Tim held the advantage until the last lap when he lost his way up the beat, plummeting to 7^th. Alasdair McQire conversely sensationally moved form 9^th to 3^rd on the last beat, with Adrian Thear 4^th, Abi 5^th and Tom Keegan 6^th.

Race two again saw Ian Jones hit the front early, but Tim Keighley battled with him for the lead, hitting the front on lap two before Ian pulled though for his second win. Chester Cavendish held station in third place, chased by Hamish Gledhill and Tom Keegan, with Tom eventually getting through to 4^th place on the last lap. G. MacWhirter finished 6^th.

Having already won the event, Ian Jones took his eye off the ball in the last race, trailing round in 18^th place at one stage, before slicing through the fleet to finish third. Tim and Hamish renewed their earlier battle with never more than twenty yards between the two boats. It looked as if it was going to be Tim's win, but Hamish reversed the order up the last beat to take the bullet. Matt Cook had his best result in 4^th place ahead of Chester Cavendish and Alasdair McQuire.

Overall it was Ian's day from Hamish and Tim with Abi Morgan first lady helm.

Full results can be found by following the link: Laser Open Results 11th April 2010

Pictures are available here: www.photoboxgallery.com/wrsc