RC Laser 2011 Nationals Report
More Pics from the Nationals
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Due to the abnormally hot weather the lake was suffering from weed. The club had done its best in dragging the bottom to remove as much as they could, However during the racing on the first day competitors had to make several pit stops for weed per flight, which reduced as the day progressed.
With the wind in the south the course was set the first seeding races were sailed using the higher wind 'C' rig. The first seeding flight went to Adam Kissick, and the second to Dave Fowler.
With the flights now correctly populated the racing commenced. The wind strength varied up and down during the day with the use of the 'D' sail in race 3and 4, and then 'B' sail till the arrival of the light wind sail 'A', with the turning of the tide everyone was back to the 'D' for the last 2 races of the day.
The OD managed to get 9 races (18 flights inc seeding flights) in on the Sat, the racing was close Dave Fowler took 6 bullets, Adam 1, Buzz Coleman 1, and Pete Spence 1.
After the racing the RC laser association had their AGM which was done in under an hour, allowing racers to find their accommodations, even those who had forgotten where they had booked!
The evening was a return to the club for a wonderful meal supplied by the West Lanc's YC Catering team, with talk of the day's events and whether Fowler had some kind of anti weed radar on his boat!
Sunday arrived with 40 - 50 + mph winds, with the main lake where racing took place the previous day was covered with white horse and un-sailable with a 0.5 swell. The OD relocated to the top corner of the lake which was wave sailable but still blustery.
After a quick sailing test done by Buzz, the course was set and racing commenced, in what can only be described as exhilarating and demanding for all. 11 races were held (22 flights) Dave Fowler gaining 5 bullets, John Tushingham 2, Adam Kissick 1, Skip Reaser 1, Buzz Coleman 1, and John Taylor 1.
Over the 2 days 20 races were sailed giving all sailors 3 discards.
There were several newcomers to RC Laser sailing, who all enjoyed the event, which was voiced by them during prize giving.
| First Lady | 422 | Liz Tushingham | Keighley |
| First Junior | 670 | Jordan Porter | West lanc's |
| Furthest travelled | 120 | David Bedford | Wanderers Perth Australia |
DOH! Trophy Went to John Park for the longest capsize seen in the RC Laser fleet, the boat was mast flat to the water for nearly 10 sec's, we all thought he had lost the lead from his keel.
We introduced a new "persistence" trophy this year, for the competitor who had finished every race but was in last place. This went to 71 Alan Tickle West Lanc's
- Top Team
- Dave Fowler
- Andy Kissick
- Liz Tushingham
- Jorden Porter
- Nick Hodshon
- John Park
| 1st | 840 | Dave Fowler | Kingsmill | 25 pts |
| 2nd | 711 | John Tushingham | Keighley | 49 pts |
| 3rd | 16 | Buzz Coleman | Colehouse Fort | 77 pts |
| 4th | 215 | Pete Spence | Brentwood | 81 pts |
| 5th | 26 | John Taylor | Fleetwood | 97 pts |
| 6th | 580 | Adam Kissick | Preston dock | 102 pts |
| 7th | 25 | Andy Kissick | Alderney | 110 pts |
| 8th | 68 | Derek Priestley | Fleetwood | 139 pts |
| 9th | 428 | John Sharman | Fleetwood | 149 pts |
| 10th | 39 | Skip Reaser | West Lanc's | 155 pts |