Laser Open 2018 - Race Report
Aldenham Laser Open Meeting 10th June 2018
Thames Valley Circuit
Race report
A generally North east flukey breeze greeted the fleet of 20 on a lovely sunny summers day at ASC. This year for the first time 4 races were sailed with one discard allowed.
Race1: A substantially starboard biased line saw quite a queue at the pin end. Steve and Mason got away on the buoy and were followed up the first leg by Rob. Places changed amongst these 3 for the rest of the race with Rob pinching it from Steve on the last leg with Mason 3rd.
Race2: A similar start to race 1 saw Mason get away up the first beat managing to hold his lead for the rest of the race. Steve and Rob swapped about a bit, with Steve finally pulling away on the last windward leg to secure 2nd, with Rob 3rd.
Lunch: The usual excellent lunch was provided by the catering crew and with the first 3 boats tied on 4 points each, the afternoon races were going to be interesting.
Race 3: Rob and Mason again battled it out with Mason pulling through the fleet after a mediocre start to win the race. It was now down to these two to see who could clinch it on the final race
Race4: A group of 5 or 6 boats were all very closely packed all through this race. As well as Mason and Rob, Chris Nash, Any Crosher and Graham McCornack joined the party. There were numerous place changes throughout the race with lifts and shifts dictating fortunes. Finally Rob rounded the final mark in the lead from Steve (who had come from nowhere on a great lift) and Mason to head off down to the finish line. More place changes on this last leg saw Rob hold on to win with Mason 2nd and Chris 3rd.
So the meeting was won on the very last leg of the final race by Rob Beere, 2nd Mason Woodworth, 3rd Steve Fischer
